When was Avogadro's atomic theory widely accepted by the scientific community?

• A. In the early 1900s, following the discovery of the electron
• B. Around 1860, after the Karlsruhe Congress
• C. Immediately after Avogadro proposed it in 1811
• D. During the 1830s, after Dalton's atomic theory

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Avogadro's atomic theory proposed that equal volumes of gases, at the same temperature and pressure, contain an equal number of molecules. This was a foundational idea for molecular chemistry.
2. Recognize that although Avogadro proposed his theory in 1811, it was not immediately accepted because the scientific community lacked experimental evidence and the concept of atoms and molecules was still developing.
3. Identify the Karlsruhe Congress of 1860 as a significant event where chemists gathered to discuss atomic weights and molecular formulas, leading to greater acceptance of Avogadro's ideas.
4. Note that the discovery of the electron in the early 1900s provided further evidence for atomic structure but came after Avogadro's theory was already gaining acceptance.
5. Conclude that Avogadro's atomic theory was widely accepted around 1860, following the Karlsruhe Congress, as this event helped clarify atomic and molecular concepts among scientists.