Question
State and explain the law of multiple proportions.

Answer

Law of multiple proportions:
i. John Dalton (British scientist) proposed the law of multiple proportions in 1803.
ii. It has been observed that two or more elements may combine to form more than one compound.
iii. The law states that, "When two elements A and B form more than one compounds, the masses of element $B$ that combine with a given mass of $A$ are always in the ratio of small whole numbers".
e.g. Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form two compounds, water and hydrogen peroxide.
Image

Here, the two masses of oxygen $(16 \mathrm{~g}$ and $32 \mathrm{~g})$ which combine with the fixed mass of hydrogen $(2 \mathrm{~g})$ in these two compounds bear a simple ratio of small whole numbers, i.e. $16: 32$ or $1: 2$.

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