Question
Chemistry Question on Laws of Chemical Combinations
Two oxides of a metal contain 36.4% and 53.4% of oxygen by mass respectively. If the formula of the first oxide is M2O, then that of the second is
A
M2O3
B
MO
C
MO2
D
M2O5
Answer
MO
Explanation
Solution
For I oxide Oxygen =36.4%
Metal =100−36.4=63.6
Given, formula of oxide =M2O
∴63.6% of metal =2 atoms of metal
and 36.4% of oxygen =1 atom of oxygen For II oxide Oxygen
=53.4%
Metal =100−53.4=46.6%
∵63.6% of metal =2 atoms of metal
∴ 46.6% of metal
=63.62×46.6
=1.46 atoms of metal Again
∵36.4% of oxygen =1 atom of oxygen
∴ 53.4% of oxygen
=36.41×53.4
=1.46 atoms of oxygen Ratio of metal and oxide
=1.46:1.46
=1:1
Hence, formula of metal oxide =MO