Question

If 6.0g of carbon is heated in air, the mass of the product obtained could be either 22.0g or 14.0g depending on the amount of air present. Show that this verifies the law of multiple proportions.
please explain

Answer 1

Answer:

• See the demonstration below

Explanation:

The law of multiple proportions states that, when two elements can react with each other to form two or more different compounds, the weights of one element that react with a fixed weight of the other are in a ratio of small whole numbers.

1. If the mass of product obtained were 22.0g

Then, the mass of the oxygen atoms in the product would be:

• 22.0g - 6.0g = 16.0g

The ratio of the weight of oxygen to the weight of carbon is 16.0 g to  6.0 g,

• 16.0g : 6.0g = 8 : 3.

2. If the mass of product obtained were 14.0g.

• Mass of oxygen = 14.0g - 6.0g = 8.0 g

• Ratio oxgyen to carbon = 8.0g / 6.0g = 4 : 3

3. Conclusion

Take a fixed amount of carbon equal to 3 grams.

Then, the amount of oxygen for the first compound would be 8 grams and the amount of oxygen for the second compound would be 4 grams.

That means that the ratio is 8 : 4 = 2.

Which is saying that, for the two compounds of carbon and oxygen, the weights of oxygen that reacts with a fixed weight of carbon are in a ratio of small whole numbers, in accordance to the law of multiple proportions.