Question

Equivalent weight of carbon in CO and $C{O_2}$ are in the ratio of:
A. 1:1
B. 1:2
C. 2:1
D. 1:4

Answer 1

Hint: Equivalent weight of the atom or compound is calculated by dividing the molecular weight or the atomic weight of the compound or atom by its valency. The equivalent weight is also known as gram equivalent.

Complete answer:In chemistry, the equivalent weight is defined as the mass in grams which joins or replaces the eight gram of hydrogen or 1.007 grams of oxygen.
The formula to calculate the equivalent weight is shown below.
$E.W = \dfrac{M}{V}$
Where,
E.W is the equivalent weight.
M is the molecular weight
V is the valency.
Valency is defined as the combining capability of the element or the measure of the hydrogen atom present in the compound which can be replaced.
To find out the equivalent weight of the compound, first valency of the carbon atom is determined.
The calculation for the valency of carbon in carbon monoxide is shown below.
Let the valency of the carbon be x in carbon monoxide and the charge on oxygen atom is -2. The overall charge of the compound is 0.
$\Rightarrow x + ( - 2) = 0$
$\Rightarrow x = 2$
Thus, the valency of carbon in carbon monoxide is 2.
The calculation for the valency of carbon in carbon dioxide is shown below.
Let the valency of the carbon be x in carbon dioxide and the charge on oxygen atom is -2. There are two oxygen atoms present. The overall charge of the compound is 0.
$\Rightarrow x + 2( - 2) = 0$
$\Rightarrow x = 4$
Thus, the valency of carbon in carbon dioxide is 4.
The molecular weight of Carbon is 12 g/mol.
To calculate the equivalent weight of Carbon in carbon monoxide, substitute the values in the equation.
$\Rightarrow E.W = \dfrac{{12}}{2}$
$\Rightarrow E.W = 6$
To calculate the equivalent weight of Carbon in carbon dioxide, substitute the values in the equation.
$\Rightarrow E.W = \dfrac{{12}}{4}$
$\Rightarrow E.W = 3$
Thus, the ratio of equivalent weight of carbon in carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide is 6:3 or 2:1.
Therefore, the correct option is C.

Note:The molecular weight of the compound is calculated by adding the individual atomic weight and multiplying the number of atoms with their respective atomic weight. Make sure, in this question we need to find the equivalent weight of carbon atom not of the whole compound.