Limitations of Daltons Atomic Theory

With the discovery of sub-atomic particles, e.g.,

electrons, neutrons and protons, the atom can no
longer be considered indivisible.
The atoms of same elements are not similar in all
respect. They may vary in mass and density. These
are known as Isotopes. For example: chlorine has
two isotopes having mass numbers 35 a.m.u and 37
a.m.u.
Atoms of different elements are not different in all
respects. Atoms of different elements that have the
same atomic mass are called Isobar.
Different elements combine in simple whole number
ratio to form compounds. This is not seen in complex
organic compounds like sugar C12H22O11.
The theory fails to explain the existence of
Allotropes.

A covalent bond forming H2 (right) where two hydrogen

atoms share the two electrons

Comparison chart
Polarity:
Formation:

Shape:
What is it?

Covalent Bonds
Low
A covalent bond is
formed between two
non-metals that have
similar
electronegativities.
Neither atom is
"strong" enough to
attract electrons from
the other. For
stabilization, they share
their electrons from
outer molecular orbit
with others.

Definite shape
Covalent bonding is a
form of chemical
bonding between two
nonmetallic atoms
which is characterized
by the sharing of pairs
of electrons between

Ionic Bonds
High
An ionic bond is
formed between a
metal and a nonmetal. Nonmetals (-ve ion)
are "stronger"
than the
metal(+ve ion)
and can get
electrons very
easily from the
metal. These two
opposite ions
attract each other
and form the ionic
bond.
No definite shape
Ionic bond, also
known as
electrovalent
bond is a type of
bond formed from
the electrostatic
attraction between

atoms and other

covalent bonds.

Melting
point:
Examples:

low

oppositely
charged ions in a
chemical
compound. These
kinds of bonds
occur mainly
between a
metallic and a
nonmetallic atom.
High

Methane (CH4), Hydro Sodium chloride

Chloric acid (HCl)
(NaCl), Sulphuric
Acid (H2SO4 )
Two non-metals
One metal and
one non-metal
Low
High

Occurs
between:
Boiling
point:
State at
Liquid or gaseous
room
temperature:

Solid

Sodium and fluorine undergoing a redox reaction to form

sodium fluoride. Sodium loses its outer electron to give it
a stable electron configuration, and this electron enters the
fluorine atom exothermically. The oppositely charged
ions -typically a great many of them- are then attracted to
each other to form a solid.
Electric current is the flow of electrons. Metals are good
conductors of electricity because their valence electrons
are delocalized. This means that the valence electrons are
not tightly associated to a single atom, but can move
through the entire metal. This is the kind of bonding
present between metals (metal bonds). In a metal bond,
electrostatic forces are at play between the delocalized
electrons and the positive metal ions. This forms a 'sea of
electrons'. Since the electrons are free to move in the
lattice of positive metal ions, they can easily move.
This, however, is not the sole requirement. They also need
partially filled energy bands. When both are satisfied,
application of an electric field will cause the to move
across the lattice and migrate.
Hence, metals are good conductors because (D)electrons
are free to move in the lattice.