Law of multiple proportions and Law of definite proportions

Question

Describe the difference between law of multiple proportions and law of definite proportions?

Answer 1

Both laws have to do with linking to Dalton's Atomic Theory. The difference is only that Law of Definite Proportions deals with the elements joining to form ONE compound in a simple whole number ratio. Law of Multiple Proportions is comparing the same two elements which make up two different compounds a division of these 2 ratios should equal a simple whole number ratio.
As, Carbon and oxygen can add to form carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. If you calculated every compounds ration of oxygen to carbon, we could get following ratios: compound A would equal a combining the ratio of 1.34:1 (O:C). Compound B would equal to combining ratio of 2.67:1 (O: C). If we divided bigger ratio by smaller ratio we should have that oxygen combines with a ratio of 2.67/1.34 that would be equal 1.99:1, which is close to 2:1.