Help with law of multiple proportions.

Chemistry Laws Question! Help?

• So I am having a hard time grasping the meaning of these three laws: Law of definite proportions Law of multiple proportions and Law of conservation of mass I have read over and over again the dictionary definition of these terms but can't come to my own terms with them. Especially the law of multiple proportions and definite proportions and how they relate to one another. If you could just give me a short answer in non complicated terms that will help me memorize them better than their dictionary definitions that would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!!

• Answer:

  Law of Definite Proportions - Elements in a compound will combine in the same ratio, regardless of of their total mass. Take H2O (water). The ratio of hydrogen:oxygen is 1:8. A 18 gram sample of water will be made up of 2 grams of hydrogen to 16 grams of oxygen, or in a ratio of 1:8. A 36 gram sample of water will be made up of 4 grams of hydrogen to 32 grams of oxygen, or in a ratio of 1:8. Regardless of the total mass of the compound, the elements combine in the same ratio. Law of Multiple Proportions - This law talks about 2 different compounds made up of the SAME 2 elements, like CO and CO2. It says that if you divide the ratios of those compounds by each other, it will come out of a whole number ratio. The ratio of C:O in CO is 1:1.34. The ratio of C:O in CO2 is 1:2.67. If you divide 1:2.67 by 1:1.34 then you'll get 1:2, which is a whole number ratio. Conservation of Mass - You will never lose or gain mass. What goes in is exactly what comes out. In a chemical equation, both sides will have the same weight.