Final answer:
The set of masses that could be the result of the decomposition of the other sample must have the same ratio of sodium to chlorine. Option c, 6.09 g of sodium and 9.38 g of chlorine, has a ratio of sodium to chlorine that matches the given sample, making it consistent with the law of constant composition.
Step-by-step explanation:
The law of constant composition, also known as the law of definite proportions or law of definite composition, states that a chemical substance always contains the same proportions of elements by mass. In the case of sodium chloride (NaCl), the ratio of sodium to chlorine is always constant. Therefore, the set of masses that could be the result of the decomposition of the other sample must have the same ratio of sodium to chlorine. Let's compare the masses to determine which set is consistent with the law.
For the given sample, we have 1.73 g of sodium and 2.66 g of chlorine. The ratio of sodium to chlorine is 1.73 g / 2.66 g = 0.65 (rounded to two decimal places).
Now let's calculate the ratios for each set of masses:
- 6.09 g of sodium and 4.87 g of chlorine: 6.09 g / 4.87 g = 1.25
- 6.09 g of sodium and 1.33 g of chlorine: 6.09 g / 1.33 g = 4.58
- 6.09 g of sodium and 9.38 g of chlorine: 6.09 g / 9.38 g = 0.65 (same as the given sample)
- 6.09 g of sodium and 12.8 g of chlorine: 6.09 g / 12.8 g = 0.48
Out of the four options, only option c, 6.09 g of sodium and 9.38 g of chlorine, has a ratio of sodium to chlorine that matches the given sample. Therefore, the result of the decomposition of the other sample could be 6.09 g of sodium and 9.38 g of chlorine.