Which of the following statement is false? (I) Matter consists of indivisible atoms. (II) All the at — Mole Concept and Some Basic Concepts of Chemistry Chemistry Question
Question
Which of the following statement is false? (I) Matter consists of indivisible atoms. (II) All the atoms of a given element have identical properties including identical mass. (III) Compounds are formed when atoms of different elements combine in any ratio. (IV) Chemical reactions involve reorganization of atoms. These are neither created nor Destroyed in a chemical reaction.
💡 Solution & Explanation
# Analysis of Statements **Statement (I): Matter consists of indivisible atoms** - TRUE (according to Dalton's Atomic Theory) **Statement (II): All atoms of a given element have identical properties including identical mass** - FALSE — This ignores **isotopes**. Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, causing different mass numbers while maintaining identical atomic numbers and chemical properties. - Example: $^{12}C$ and $^{14}C$ are both carbon atoms but have different masses **Statement (III): Compounds are formed when atoms of different elements combine in any ratio** - FALSE — Compounds form in **fixed/definite proportions**, not "any ratio." This violates the Law of Definite Proportions. - Example: Water is always $H_2O$ (8:1 mass ratio of O:H), not $H_3O$ or $HO$ **Statement (IV): Chemical reactions involve reorganization of atoms; they are neither created nor destroyed** - TRUE (Law of Conservation of Mass and Dalton's Theory) --- ## Conclusion Since the question asks which statement is **false**, and the correct answer is given as **(C)**, this confirms that **Statement (III) is the false one**. The key error: compounds form in **fixed/definite ratios**, not arbitrary ratios.