In one compound of nitrogen and oxygen, 0.615 grams of nitrogen combines with 0.703 grams of oxygen. In another 1.27 grams of nitrogen combines with 2.90 grams of oxygen. Show how these data illustrate the law of multiple proportions.

Answer in explanation

Explanation:

In the first case, we divide each of the masses by the respective atomic masses:

N = 0.615/14 = 0.043928571428571

O = 0.703/16 = 0.0439375

It can be seen here that the values are similar, hence the formula is NO

now let us look at the second data set:

N = 1.27/14 = 0.090714285714286

O = 2.9/16 = 0.18125

We now divide by the smallest

N = 090714285714286/090714285714286 = 1

O = 0.18125/090714285714286 = 2

The formula here is thus NO2.

It can be seen that there are different oxides of nitrogen here which clearly indicates the law of multiple proportion.