John Dalton proposed the Dalton's Atomic Theory in 1808, which stated that matter is made of indivisible particles called atoms. The theory postulated that atoms of the same element have identical properties, while atoms of different elements have different properties and combine in fixed ratios to form compounds. The theory was limited in that it was later discovered atoms can be subdivided and isotopes exist with differing masses but the same element. It also failed to explain allotropes and complex organic compounds. While some aspects remain valid, Dalton's Atomic Theory formed the basis for modern atomic structure models.
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