Two elements X and Y have atomic weight of 14 and 16. They form a series of compounds A,B,C,D and E in which the same amount of element X combines with Y in the ratio 1 : 2 : 3 : 4 : 5 respectively. If the compound A has 28 parts by weight of X and 16 parts by weight of Y, then the compound C will have 28 parts by weight of X and

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 combines with fixed masses of the first element will always be a ratio of a small whole number. If compound A has 28 parts by weight of X and 16 parts by weight of Y, then fixing X, compound C would have 3 times as much Y as compound A=16×3=48 parts.