SSC Stenographer 2024 PYQ — Question 115

SSC Stenographer - 11/12/2024 (9:00 AM to 11:00 AM) • General Awareness • Q115

Who used the drawing circle and arrow symbols to represent the atoms of different elements in 1803?

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D

Explanation

The  correct answer is  option 4  i.e.  John Dalton.

In 1803, John Dalton used drawing circles and arrow symbols to represent the atoms of different elements.

John Dalton, an English chemist and physicist, is credited with developing the first modern atomic theory in 1803. To visually explain his ideas, Dalton used simple symbols—mostly circles with unique markings such as arrows or dots—to represent atoms of different elements. This symbolic representation helped distinguish one element’s atoms from another and laid the foundation for understanding chemical reactions as rearrangements of atoms. Dalton’s work was crucial in moving chemistry from a qualitative to a more quantitative and scientific discipline, influencing future atomic models and chemical notation.

Other Options:

  • Antoine Lavoisier: Known as the father of modern chemistry; helped define elements and the law of conservation of mass but didn’t use symbolic notation.

  • Jacob Berzelius: Introduced the modern chemical symbols (like H for hydrogen) later, in the early 19th century, but not the circle and arrow system.

  • Amedeo Avogadro: Known for Avogadro's law, not for developing atomic symbols.