Question

Which of the following statements does not align with modern atomic theory?

A) Atoms of the same element are the same.
B) All matter is composed of atoms.
C) Atoms of different elements are different.
D) Atoms can combine in non-whole numbers to form compounds.

Answer 1

Atoms can combine in non-whole numbers to form compounds. Therefore given statement is D

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that does not align with modern atomic theory is D) Atoms can combine in non-whole numbers to form compounds.

According to modern atomic theory, atoms combine in whole-number ratios to form compounds. This means that the ratio of atoms in a compound is always a simple, whole number. For example, water (H₂O) consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, which is a whole-number ratio.

Atoms combining in non-whole numbers to form compounds would contradict the fundamental idea of atomic theory and the laws of chemical reactions.