What part of Daltons atomic theory was proven to be incorrect?

Answer 1

There is no one single individual who can be given complete credit for disproving Dalton's theory. Setting aside that Dalton's theory is still, in part, accepted, the portions of the theory that have been disproved are: All atoms are identical: Since different isotopes of different atoms occur, that is not entirely accurate. Atoms of the same element are all identical in that they contain the same number of protons. We can give credit to Margaret Todd for coining the word "Isotope". Frederick Soddy went on to win the Nobel prize in 1921 for his work on radioactive substances.

Atoms are indivisible and indestructible: Atoms can, of course, be split. Fission and fusion nuclear reactions disprove this part of his theory. If Dalton had been more precise and said that atoms cannot be split by chemical reactions, we could still accept that portion of his theory. Scientists responsible for developing the wave-matter character of the atom are Debroglie, Schrödinger, Heisenberg, Max Planck, Al Einstein and many others...You can't really give full credit to anyone.

Answer 2

Disapproved parts of John Dalton's theory are:

1) That atoms ARE divisible.

2) Nuclear reactions (changes that alter the composition of the atomic nucleus) may, in fact, convert atoms of one element into atoms of another.

3) Different isotopes of an element have different numbers of neutrons and thus different masses. Scientists treat elements as if their atoms have an average mass.

Answer 3

His beliefe is was that atoms could not be split. That is what was disproved in a nut-shell.

Answer 4

Dalton thought that atoms were indivisible spheres. That is not correct. Further scientific research showed that atoms can be divided into protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Answer 5

· All atoms of a given element are identical. · A given compound always has the same relative numbers of types of atoms.