Question

Two sample of carbon tetrachloride are decomposed into their constituent elements. One sample produces 32.4 g of carbon and 373 g of chlorine, and the other sample produces 12.3 g of carbon and 112 g of chlorine. Are these results consistent with the law of constant composition?

Answer 1

Answer:

These results are not consistent with the law of constant composition.

Explanation:

Law of constant composition states that a given chemical compound always contains its component elements in fixed ratio (by mass) and does not depend on its source and method of preparation.

Following this definition, for carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), the ratio of its component elements by mass is:

Mass of Cl / Mass of C

In the first sample, mass of Cl is 373g and mass of C is 32,4. The ratio is:

373g/32,4g = 11,5

In the second sample, mass of Cl is 112g and mass of C is 12,3. The ratio is:

112g/12,3 = 9,11

As the ratio of its component elements is not fixed, it is possible to say that these results are not consistent with the law of constant composition.

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