Chapter 3: Problem 26

If a scientist during Dalton's time found that hydrogen sulfide always had the formula \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~S}\), how would this have been explained?

Short Answer

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A scientist during Dalton's time would have explained the formula of hydrogen sulfide (\(H_2S\)) using Dalton's Atomic Theory, specifically the postulate stating that compounds are formed when atoms of different elements combine in simple whole-number ratios. In this case, hydrogen and sulfur atoms combine in a 2:1 ratio to form hydrogen sulfide, adhering to the principles of Dalton's theory and providing evidence for how elements combine to form compounds at that time.

Step by step solution

Understand Dalton's Atomic Theory

Dalton's Atomic Theory consists of the following postulates: 1. Elements are made up of tiny indivisible particles called atoms. 2. Atoms of the same element are identical in size, mass, and other properties, while atoms of different elements have distinct properties. 3. Compounds are formed when atoms of different elements combine in simple whole-number ratios. 4. Chemical reactions involve the rearrangement of atoms, but atoms themselves are not created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction.

Understand how compounds are formed according to Dalton's Atomic Theory

According to Dalton's third postulate, compounds are formed when atoms of different elements combine in simple whole-number ratios. This means that in a compound like hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen and sulfur atoms combine in a specific ratio to form a single compound.

Relate Dalton's theory to the hydrogen sulfide formula

The formula of hydrogen sulfide (\(H_2S\)) suggests that there are two hydrogen atoms combined with one sulfur atom in the compound. According to Dalton's Atomic Theory, this means that hydrogen and sulfur atoms combine in a 2:1 ratio to form hydrogen sulfide. The simplicity of this ratio adheres to the postulate that atoms combine in simple whole-number ratios to create compounds.

Summarize the explanation based on Dalton's Atomic Theory

In conclusion, a scientist during Dalton's time would have explained the formula of hydrogen sulfide (\(H_2S\)) according to the principles laid out in Dalton's Atomic Theory. Hydrogen and sulfur atoms combine in a simple whole-number ratio (2:1) to form the compound hydrogen sulfide. This discovery adheres to the principles of Dalton's theory and provides evidence for the understanding of how elements combine to form compounds at that time.

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If a scientist during Dalton's time found that hydrogen sulfide always had the formula \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~S}\), how would this have been explained?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand Dalton's Atomic Theory

Understand how compounds are formed according to Dalton's Atomic Theory

Relate Dalton's theory to the hydrogen sulfide formula

Summarize the explanation based on Dalton's Atomic Theory

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