Question

Prove that in the following example, Sulphur and Oxygen combine using the law of reciprocal proportions.

Answer 1

Oxygen and sulfur react with copper to give copper oxide and copper sulfide, respectively. Sulfur and oxygen also react with each other to form S0₂. Therefore,

in CuS ⇒ Cu : S = 63.5 : 32
in CuO ⇒ Cu : O = 63.5 : 16
S : 0 = 32 : 16 ⇒ S:0= 2:1
Now in SO₂:
S : 0 = 32 : 32 ⇒ S: 0 = 1:1
Thus the ratio between the two ratios is 2: 1
These are simple multiple ratios.