1.21 The following data are obtained when dinitrogen and dioxygen react together to form different compounds:
Mass of dinitrogen Mass of dioxygen
(i) 14 g 16 g
(ii) 14 g 32 g
(iii) 28 g 32 g
(iv) 28 g 80 g
(a) Which law of chemical combination is obeyed by the above experimental data? Give its statement.
Here if we fix the mass of dinitrogen at 14g, then the masses of dioxygen that will combine with the fixed mass of dinitrogen are 16g, 32g, 32g, and 80g.
The masses of dioxygen bear a whole number ratio of 1:2:2:5.
Hence, the given experimental data obeys the Law of Multiple Proportionals.
The law given by Dalton states that "if two elements can combine to form more than one compound, the masses of one element that combine with a fixed mass of the other element, are in the ratio of small whole numbers".