Question

Which postulate of Dalton's atomic theory can explain the law of definite proportions?

Answer 1

Hint: The atomic structure consists of Atomic particles. Atoms consist of three basic particles, protons, electrons, and neutrons. The nucleus (center) of an atom contains the protons (positively charged) and the neutrons (no charge). The outermost regions of the atom are called electron shells and they contain the electrons.

Complete step by step answer:
The atomic structure of an element refers to the constitution of its nucleus and the arrangement of the electrons around it. Primarily, the atomic structure of matter is made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons.
But, the atoms of different elements have different atomic structures because they contain different numbers of protons and electrons.
The first scientific theory of atomic structure was proposed by John Dalton in the 1800s. The atomic structure is as shown

John Dalton suggested that all matter is made up of atoms, which were invisible and indestructible. He also stated that all the atoms of an element were the same, but the atoms of different elements differ in size and mass.
All elements obey the law of definite proportions which states that every chemical compound contains fixed and constant proportions (by mass) of its constituent elements.
According to Dalton’s law. there were a few postulates of this theory:
1.Every matter is made up of atoms
2.Atoms are invisible
3.Specific elements have only one type of atom in them
4.Each atom has its constant mass that varies from element to element.
5.Atoms undergo rearrangement during a chemical reaction.
6.The relative number of the atoms in a specific compound is always constant.
Among these postulates the last postulate can explain the law of definite proportions.

Note: Dalton's atomic theory is based on the law of conservation of mass and law of constant proportion. The Law of conservation of mass states that mass can neither be created nor be destroyed. In simpler terms, it says over the course of a reaction, the total mass of the reactants before the start of the reaction, is equivalent to the total mass of products at the end of the reaction. This law was proposed by Antoine L Lavoisier.