Atoms, Molecules

and Ions
 Learning Competency:
Understand the basic laws of matter
(law of conservation of mass,
law of constant composition,
Law of multiple proportion) led to the
formulation of Dalton’s Atomic Theory
LAW OF MULTIPLE
PROPORTION
Sample problem
Analysis shows that compound A contains 3.2g of sulfur
and 3.2g of oxygen while compound B has 6.4g of sulfur
and 9.6 g of oxygen. Give the proportion of the elements in
the two compounds.
Procedure:
1. Prepare a table of data based on the given masses.

Elements Masses of Elements in Masses of Elements in

Compound A Compound B
Sulfur 3.2g 6.4 g
Oxygen 3.2g 9.6 g
2. Divide the mass of each element in each
compound by the mass of one element. This will
make the mass of the first element equal to 1.
Compound A Compound B
3.2 g 6.4 g
1 1
Sulfur = 3. 2 g ˭ Sulfur = 6.4g ˭
3.2 g 9.6 g
˭ 1 Oxygen = 6.4g ˭ 1.5
Oxygen =3. 2 g
3. Get the ratio of the elements in the two compounds.
Oxygen in compound A 1
Oxygen in compound B ˭ 1.5

4. Change the ratio on step 3, into whole numbers.

1:1.5 or 2:3
5. Based on step 4, give the proportions of the two elements in
each of the compound
In compound A
˭ 1S:2O or SO2
In compound B 1S:3O or SO3
˭
2:1
ANSWER:
3:2