Question

Define the law of multiple propositions. Explain with one example.

Answer 1

law of multiple proportions, statement that when two elements combine with each other to form more than one compound, the weights of one element that combine with a fixed weight of the other are in a ratio of small whole numbers.

Answer 2

law of multiple proportions,statement that when twoelementscombine with eachother to form more than onecompound, the weights of one element that combine with a fixed weight of the other are in a ratio of small whole numbers. For example, there are five distinctoxidesofnitrogen, and the weights ofoxygenincombination with 14 grams of nitrogen are, in increasingorder, 8, 16, 24, 32, and 40 grams, or in a ratio of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The law was announced(1803) by the English chemistJohn Dalton, and itsconfirmation for a wide range ofcompoundsserved as the most powerful argument in support of Dalton’s theory that matter consists of indivisibleatoms

For example, the reaction of the elements carbon andoxygencan yield both carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). In CO2, the ratio of the amount of oxygen compared to the amount of carbon is a fixed ratio of 1:2, a ratio of simple whole numbers. In CO, the ratio is 1:1.