Which of the following statements about Dalton's atomic theory is incorrect?

Dalton's atomic theory, introduced in the early 19th century, laid the groundwork for modern chemistry, and each component of the theory reflects fundamental principles regarding matter. The statement indicating that atoms can be split into smaller particles is inconsistent with Dalton's original postulates. At the time, Dalton proposed that atoms were indivisible, meaning they could not be broken down into smaller units while retaining the properties of elements.

Later discoveries in chemistry and physics, particularly regarding the structure of the atom, revealed that atoms are indeed composed of subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, and electrons. This understanding shifted the view of atoms from being the smallest unit of matter to being made up of even smaller components.

The other statements accurately represent foundational elements of Dalton's theory: all atoms of a given element possess the same mass and distinct properties, atoms of different elements can combine in fixed, simple ratios to form compounds, and in a chemical reaction, atoms are neither created nor destroyed—these principles adhere to the law of conservation of mass.