Calculate the mass ratio of S to O in SO, and then calculate the mass ratio of S to O in SO2, given that the mass of S is approximately 32 g and the mass of O is approximately 16 g. What is the whole number multiple that describes the relationship between the sulfur-to-oxygen mass ratios of each sample?

Explanation:

From the knowledge of law of multiple proportions,

mass ratio of S to O in SO:

mass of S : mass of O

= 32 : 16

= 32/16

= 2/1

mass ratio of S to O in SO2:

= mass of S : 2 × mass of O

= 32 : 2 × 16

= 32/32

= 1/1

ratio of mass ratio of S to O in SO to mass ratio of S to O in SO2:

= 2/1 ÷ 1/1

= 2

Thus, the S to O mass ratio in SO is twice the S to O mass ratio in SO2.