Sulfur and oxygen form both sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. When samples of these are decomposed, the sulfur dioxide produces 3.49 g oxygen and 3.50 g sulfur, while the sulfur trioxide produces 6.75 g oxygen and 4.50 g sulfur. Calculate the mass of oxygen per gram of sulfur for each sample and show that these results are consistent with the law of multiple proportions.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Calculate the mass of oxygen per gram of sulfur in sulfur dioxide by dividing the mass of oxygen by the mass of sulfur: \( \frac{3.49 \, \text{g O}}{3.50 \, \text{g S}} \).
2. Calculate the mass of oxygen per gram of sulfur in sulfur trioxide by dividing the mass of oxygen by the mass of sulfur: \( \frac{6.75 \, \text{g O}}{4.50 \, \text{g S}} \).
3. Compare the two ratios obtained from the calculations to determine if they are in a simple whole number ratio, which would be consistent with the law of multiple proportions.
4. The law of multiple proportions states that when two elements form more than one compound, the ratios of the masses of the second element that combine with a fixed mass of the first element are in simple whole numbers.
5. Verify that the ratio of the two calculated values is a simple whole number ratio, confirming the law of multiple proportions.

Key Concepts

Law of Multiple Proportions

The Law of Multiple Proportions states that when two elements form more than one compound, the ratios of the masses of one element that combine with a fixed mass of the other element can be expressed as small whole numbers. This principle helps to explain the different compounds formed by sulfur and oxygen, such as sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide, and is essential for analyzing their mass ratios.

Mass Ratio Calculation

To determine the mass of oxygen per gram of sulfur, one must calculate the ratio of the mass of oxygen to the mass of sulfur for each compound. This involves dividing the mass of oxygen produced by the mass of sulfur in each decomposition reaction, providing a quantitative measure that can be compared across different compounds.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the area of chemistry that deals with the relationships between the quantities of reactants and products in chemical reactions. Understanding stoichiometry is crucial for performing calculations involving mass, moles, and ratios, which are necessary to analyze the decomposition of sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide in this question.