Section 1: Foundation
- Page ID
- 75560
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We begin by assuming the central postulates of the Atomic-Molecular Theory. These are: the elements are comprised of identical atoms; all atoms of a single element have the same characteristic mass; the number and masses of these atoms do not change during a chemical transformation compounds consist of identical molecules formed of atoms combined in simple whole number ratios. We also assume a knowledge of the observed natural laws on which this theory is based: the Law of Conservation of Mass, the Law of Definite Proportions, and the Law of Multiple Proportions.