Question

Which of the laws of chemical combination is used to define the term compound?

Short answer

The Law of Definite Proportions, also known as the Law of Constant Composition, is used to define the term compound. It states that a chemical compound always contains the same proportion of elements by mass.

Step-by-step solution

Identifying the Relevant Law

To define a compound, we refer to the Law of Definite Proportions, also known as the Law of Constant Composition. This law states that a given chemical compound will always contain its component elements in a fixed ratio by mass and does not depend on its source and method of preparation.

Understanding the Law in Context

For example, water (H2O) is a compound that consists of hydrogen and oxygen in a 2:1 ratio by atom count, which translates to a specific mass ratio, regardless of the source of the water. This constant composition defines water as a particular compound.

Application of the Law

When defining any compound, we apply this law to emphasize that the compound's identity is determined by its consistent and definite composition. Hence, the Law of Definite Proportions is fundamental for the definition of a compound.

Key concepts

Chemical Compound

A chemical compound is a substance composed of two or more different kinds of atoms chemically bonded together in a fixed proportion. Compounds have unique properties that differ from the elements that comprise them. For instance, water is a chemical compound made up of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. Pure water will always contain these elements in a defined ratio, showcasing that compounds maintain their identity through a consistent composition.

Compounds are formed through various types of chemical reactions and their structures determine the physical and chemical properties they exhibit. The creation of these compounds follows specific rules and patterns, which can be explained by chemical combination laws. These laws provide a framework that allows us to predict and understand how substances combine and react with one another.

Constant Composition

Constant composition, also known as the Law of Definite Proportions, is a basic principle in chemistry that states that a given chemical compound will always be composed of the same elements in the same proportion by mass. This law is crucial for the concept of a compound because it means that no matter where a compound is found or how it is made, its composition remains consistent.

For example, carbon dioxide will always consist of carbon and oxygen in a mass ratio of about 3:8. This proportion holds true whether the carbon dioxide is exhaled by an animal or produced by burning carbon in oxygen. The law reinforces the consistent nature of chemical compounds and allows chemists to predict the outcomes of chemical reactions.

Chemical Combination Laws

Chemical combination laws cover several foundational principles that explain how substances chemically combine to form new compounds. These laws include the Law of Definite Proportions, the Law of Multiple Proportions, and the Law of Conservation of Mass. These laws govern the stoichiometry and predictability of chemical reactions.

The Law of Definite Proportions ensures that a compound will always have the same elemental composition. The Law of Multiple Proportions states that when two elements form more than one compound together, the ratios of the masses of the second element that combine with a fixed mass of the first element will be ratios of small whole numbers. Lastly, the Law of Conservation of Mass implies that mass is neither created nor destroyed in chemical reactions, further informing the understanding of compound formation and chemical reactions. Together, these laws form the bedrock of chemical science, explaining how and why substances combine in the manner they do.