Question

If carbon combines with hydrogen to form methane and carbon also combines with oxygen to form carbon dioxide then as
per law of reciprocal proportions the ratio of hydrogen and oxygen by mass that combines should be?
(1) 8 : 1 (2) 2 : 1 (3) 1 : 8 (4) 1 : 2
Explain the answer.

Answer 1

Answer:

4. 1:2 is the right answer

Answer 2

Answer #

(3 ) 1:8

• As carbon combined with hydrogen, it forms CH4

• When carbon combined with oxygen, it forms Carbon dioxide(CO2)

• The fixed mass of carbon ( 12g ) combined with 4 hydrogen atoms with mass =4g and in 2nd case , 2 oxygen atoms with mass = 32g.

• Hence, ratio of masses of H and O in accordance with Law of Reciprocal proportion is 4 : 32 that is 1:8 .

Hence, the ratio should be 1:8

Thanks...