Several compounds containing only sulfur (S) and fluorine (F) are known. Three

of them have the following compositions:

i. 1.188 g of F for every 1.000 g of S
ii. 2.375 g of F for every 1.000 g of S
iii. 3.563 g of F for every 1.000 g of S

How do these data illustrate the law of multiple proportions?

Law of multiple proportions, statement that when two elements combine with each other to form more than one compound, the weights of one element that combine with a fixed weight of the other are in a ratio of small whole numbers.

The fixed weight is the 1.000 g S.
Divide 1.188, 2.375, and 3.563 by 1.188 and see if you don't get small whole numbers. They should be in the ratio of 1:2:3.

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To illustrate the law of multiple proportions, we need to compare the ratios of different elements in different compounds. In this case, we are comparing the ratios of sulfur (S) to fluorine (F) in different compounds.

Let's analyze the data given:

i. 1.188 g of F for every 1.000 g of S
ii. 2.375 g of F for every 1.000 g of S
iii. 3.563 g of F for every 1.000 g of S

To compare the ratios, we can start by assuming a fixed ratio of sulfur (S) in each compound. Let's assume 1.000 g of S in all three cases.

For compound i, we have 1.188 g of F. So the ratio of F to S is 1.188 g F / 1.000 g S.

For compound ii, we have 2.375 g of F. So the ratio of F to S is 2.375 g F / 1.000 g S.

For compound iii, we have 3.563 g of F. So the ratio of F to S is 3.563 g F / 1.000 g S.

Now, let's simplify these ratios to their simplest form:

i. 1.188 g F / 1.000 g S = 1.188
ii. 2.375 g F / 1.000 g S = 2.375
iii. 3.563 g F / 1.000 g S = 3.563

From these ratios, we can see that the ratio of F to S is different for each compound. This demonstrates the law of multiple proportions, which states that when two elements combine to form more than one compound, the mass ratio of one element to the other will always be in small whole number ratios. In this case, we have different compounds of sulfur and fluorine, and the ratios of F to S are not the same, indicating different compounds.

Therefore, the data given illustrates the law of multiple proportions by showing that the ratios of sulfur to fluorine in different compounds are in small whole number ratios, indicating the formation of different compounds with different chemical compositions.

Notice that F changes each time by a multiple of the lowest F mass (1.188). doesn't that suggest F is increasing by a definite proportion?