Question

Which statement is INCONSISTENT with Dalton's atomic theory?

`"i. Atoms are hard, indivisible spheres;"`
`"ii. Atoms are composed of smaller particles;"`
`"iii. Atoms combine in definite ratios;"`
`"iv. Atoms possess definite masses."`

Answer 1

Clearly, `ii.` is inconsistent (or does not follow from) with Dalton's atomic theory.

Explanation:

`ii.` describes a nuclear property, not a chemical property. Of course, Dalton could not interrogate nuclear processes, and his ideas about atoms and molecules were inferences from known chemistry.