Modern atomic theory states that subatomic particles can participate in reactions. Modern atomic theory explains the location, reactions, and behavior of electrons.ĭalton’s atomic theory explains that atoms are the smallest particle that can be engaged in reactions. Modern atomic theory explains details about isotopes having a different number of neutrons and the same number of protons.ĭalton couldn’t give details about electrons. It states that all atoms of the same element are identical. Modern atomic theory says that atoms are composed of subatomic particles protons, electrons, and neutrons.ĭalton’s theory does not explain details about isotopes.
Modern atomic theory is the theory that explains the fully detailed structure of an atom.Īccording to Dalton’s atomic theory, atoms are indivisible particles. When all the elements are considered together, their atoms have properties that vary periodically.ĭalton’s Atomic Theory vs Modern Atomic Theoryĭalton’s atomic theory is a theory about indivisible particles called atoms which are the smallest particles of all matter.Compounds can be made out of the same element or different elements.Atoms of the same element can have different numbers of electrons which are called ions and different numbers of neutrons which are called isotopes. The fundamental characteristic that all the atoms of the same element share is the number of protons.These energy levels are composed of sub-energy levels.The orbitals occupied by electrons are energy levels which indicate the energy of a certain electron.
A number of scientists later contributed to the development of modern atomic theory, which is different from Dalton’s atomic theory and has more advanced facts about the atom and its behavior. In 1808, John Dalton published his theory, which was composed of several postulates that were built based on his experiments and laws of chemical combination. Key Difference – Dalton’s Atomic Theory vs Modern Atomic Theoryĭalton’s atomic theory is the oldest theory about the atom.