Atomic Theory Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Atomic Theory?
Atomic Theory is one of the most important theoretical frameworks in modern science. It is a fundamental scientific theory that explains the structure and behavior of matter at its most basic level. It states that all matter, regardless of its form, is composed of atoms which are indivisible and indestructible. This theory was first proposed by John Dalton in 1803 and has since been refined through numerous experiments to become one of the cornerstones of modern chemistry.Atoms are composed of three primary components protons, neutrons, and electrons which are responsible for their chemical properties. Protons have a positive charge while neutrons contain no electric charge at all; electrons carry a negative charge. These particles are held together by an attractive force known as the Coulomb force which causes them to stick together forming molecules and atoms. The number and arrangement of these particles defines each element’s unique atomic number and chemical properties such as reactivity with other elements. The Atomic Theory also helped explain why certain elements were more reactive than others; it revealed that this was due to differences in their electron configurations or how many electrons each element had on its outermost shell. This provided insight into how reactions occur between different elements when they come into contact with one another through explaining why some elements would react more quickly with one another than others depending on their electron configurations; this became known as the octet rule. The Atomic Theory also contributed to our understanding of isotopes atoms with different numbers of neutrons which explains why some forms of elements can exist in multiple forms (elements like carbon can have six protons but eight or ten neutrons). Today, Atomic Theory continues to be a central part in our understanding of the universe we live in as well as providing insight into new technologies such as nuclear power plants or cancer treatments using radiation therapy techniques based on radioactive isotopes like cobalt-60 (60Co). It serves as an invaluable tool for scientists who seek to understand how nature works at its most basic level so they may better serve humanity both now and in the future.