CBSE Class 9 Answered

The law of multiple proportions states that if two elements form more than one compound between them, then the ratios of the masses of the second element which combine with a fixed mass of the first element will be ratios of small whole numbers. This law refers to different chemical compounds that can be formed when two elements react with each other. For example, hydrogen and oxygen can react to form water (H₂O) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). In the first compound, one gram of hydrogen combines with 8 grams of oxygen. In the second, one gram of hydrogen reacts with 16 grams of oxygen. If we look at the ratio of these to each other, 8/16 =2, which is a whole number.