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The law of definite proportions, first defined by Joseph Louis Proust, states that in a pure compound, the elements combine in definite proportions to one another by mass. In other words, we know that water is always composed of two hydrogen and one oxygen atom, typically about 88.8% oxygen to about 11.2% hydrogen by mass (heavy water, with a different oxygen isotope, changes this proportion somewhat, but also in a predictable manner.)

Not all compounds composed of the same element will combine in the same definite proportions. hydrocarbons, for instance, go through many hundreds of permutations, each with somewhat different properties, and may have from one to hundreds of carbon atoms combined with hydrogen atoms in differing proportions. And hydrogen peroxide is made up of oxygen and hydrogen (as is water), but with a different proportion of hydrogen to oxygen than water.

There is one class of substances called non-stoichiometric compounds or Berthollides that are an exception to this law. The ratio between elements in these compounds can vary within certain limits. Rust, or ferrous oxide, is one of the berthollides. Its primary formula is simply FeO, but can vary significantly.

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Q: What does law of definite properties mean?
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Related questions

What do you call a material with definite properties and definite chemical composition?

A material with definite properties and definite chemical composition is called a pure substance.


What are the properties of a liquid and how are the molecules in a liquid linked?

Properties: liquids have a definite volume but no definite shape.


What are the two basic properties of gas?

no definite shape and no definite volume


What is the law that states that a chemical compound always contains the same elements in exactly the same proportions by w eight and mass?

The law you are referring to is the Law of Definite Proportions. This law states that a chemical compound always contains the same elements in the same proportions by mass, regardless of the source of the compound.


What you mean by nonstoichiometry?

The chemical composition of nonstoichiometric compounds do not respect the law of definite proportions.


Is the law of definite composition the same as the law of definite proportion?

yes it is .. also called prousts law


Two basic properties of the liquid phase are?

it has no definite shape no definite volume


A liquid has a definite volume and what?

A liquid has a definite volume but not a definite shape. Solids have a definite volume and shape while gases have none of these properties.


How does the law of definite proportions explain the fact that although water and hydrogen peroxide consist of the same elements have different properties?

The law of definite proportions states that a chemical compound always contains the same elements in the same proportion by mass. Water (H2O) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) have different properties because they have different molecular structures due to the arrangement of the atoms of the same elements. The different proportions of hydrogen and oxygen in water and hydrogen peroxide lead to distinct chemical and physical properties.


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When was the law of definite proportions developed?

The law of definite proportions was developed by Joseph Proust in 1806.


What properties of solid?

The properties of a solid include having a definite shape and definite volume. The particles of a solid are close together, vibrate in place, and have low kinetic energy.