Question

Carbon forms two oxides, namely carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The equivalent mass of which element remains constant?
(a) Carbon
(b) oxygen
(c) both carbon and oxygen
(d) neither carbon nor oxygen

Answer 1

Answer ⇒ Option (b). Oxygen.

Explanation ⇒

When two elements combines to forms more than one compound, then the ratio of the masses of the elements which combines with the fixed mass of the other elements is the simple whole number ratio.

In the above question, Mass of the oxygen in both the compound is constant. This means that the different masses of the carbon will combines with the fixed mass of the Oxygen to form Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.

Hence, the ratio of the masses of the Carbon will be simple whole number ratio and the mass of the Oxygen will be constant.

Hence, Option (b). Oxygen is correct.

Hope it helps.

Answer 2

The constant equivalent mass element in carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide is b) oxygen.

Two oxide forms of carbon are carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Molecular formulas are $\mathrm { CO } _ { 2 }$ and CO.

If two elements are combined to form two different compounds with a fixed mass of their elements, then it forms the simplest whole number ratio.

In CO and $\mathrm { CO } _ { 2 }$ the mass of oxygen is constant defines that the different components of carbon atom combines with a constant mass of oxygen to form CO and $\mathrm { CO } _ { 2 }$.

Therefore oxygen has constant mass in both CO and $\mathrm { CO } _ { 2 }$.