Hydrazine, ammonia, and hydrogen azide all contain only nitrogen and hydrogen. The mass of the hydrogen that combines with 1.00g of each compound is 1.4 x 10^-1g, 2.4x10^-1 g and 2.40x10^-2 respectively. Show how these data illustrate the law of multiple proportions.

I'm sure I'm approaching this wrong--I tried dividing the different masses by one another, but I don't wind up with the right ratios. It should be 6:9:1. I get 6:9:1.5. Am I supposed to divide the first one by itself?

Question

Hydrazine, ammonia, and hydrogen azide all contain only nitrogen and hydrogen. The mass of the hydrogen that combines with 1.00g of each compound is 1.4 x 10^-1g, 2.4x10^-1 g and 2.40x10^-2 respectively. Show how these data illustrate the law of multiple proportions.

I'm sure I'm approaching this wrong--I tried dividing the different masses by one another, but I don't wind up with the right ratios. It should be 6:9:1. I get 6:9:1.5. Am I supposed to divide the first one by itself?

jfraser · Answer

divide each by the smallest, and you should get the right kind of ratio

anonymous · Answer

I figured it had to be something simple. Thank you.