Question

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Diamonds and graphite are both made of carbon, but have different properties. Based on Dalton's theory, how can we determine that they are the same element? Could you extend this to identify an unknown substance as being composed of carbon.

Answer 1

According to Dalton's atomic theory:

i) All matter consists of individual particles called atom.

ii) Atoms of the same element are similar in mass and shape but differ from other elements.

Here, both the dimond and graphite are the allotrops of carbon. Both of the matters are made up of carbon. Thus carbon element is the individual particle. Thus it should have same physical and chemical properties.

Let's consider charcoal, it is also made up of element carbon. Thus it should bear same physical and chemical properties.

However, this is one of the limitations of the Dalton's theory.