Which law of chemical combination is illustrated by the formation of carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2)?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Law of multiple proportions
The law of multiple proportions says that when two elements form more than one compound, the masses of one element that combine with a fixed mass of the other are in a simple whole-number ratio.
In CO, 12 g of carbon combines with 16 g of oxygen.
In CO2, 12 g of carbon combines with 32 g of oxygen.
The oxygen masses are in the ratio 16 : 32 = 1 : 2, a simple whole-number ratio.