Which of the following lists correctly describes the four main components of Dalton's atomic theory?

• A. 1) Atoms can be divided into protons, neutrons, and electrons. 2) Atoms of the same element have different masses. 3) Atoms are destroyed in chemical reactions. 4) Compounds are formed by random combinations of atoms.
• B. 1) Atoms are visible under a microscope. 2) Atoms of the same element have different chemical properties. 3) Atoms combine in any ratio to form compounds. 4) Atoms are destroyed during chemical reactions.
• C. 1) All matter is composed of indivisible atoms. 2) Atoms of the same element are identical. 3) Atoms of different elements are different. 4) Atoms combine in simple whole-number ratios to form compounds.
• D. 1) All matter is made of molecules. 2) Atoms of different elements have the same properties. 3) Atoms can be created or destroyed in chemical reactions. 4) Compounds are formed by the fusion of atoms.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that Dalton's atomic theory was proposed in the early 19th century and laid the foundation for modern atomic theory by describing the nature of atoms and how they combine to form matter.
2. Identify the key points of Dalton's atomic theory: (1) All matter is composed of indivisible atoms, (2) atoms of the same element are identical in mass and properties, (3) atoms of different elements differ in mass and properties, and (4) atoms combine in simple whole-number ratios to form compounds.
3. Evaluate each given list against these key points to see which one matches Dalton's original theory without including modern discoveries such as subatomic particles or atomic divisibility.
4. Note that statements about atoms being divisible into protons, neutrons, and electrons or atoms being destroyed in chemical reactions are not part of Dalton's theory, as these concepts were discovered later.
5. Conclude that the correct list is the one that states: (1) All matter is composed of indivisible atoms, (2) atoms of the same element are identical, (3) atoms of different elements are different, and (4) atoms combine in simple whole-number ratios to form compounds.