Assertion (A): 2 g of hydrogen combines with 16 g of oxygen to form 18 g of water.
Reason (R): According to Dalton's Atomic Theory, atoms combine in a simple whole number ratio by mass to form compounds.
Choose the correct option:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true. [Pg. No. 168]
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
Explanation: Water is formed when hydrogen and oxygen combine in the mass ratio of 2 g : 16 g, producing 18 g of water according to the law of conservation of mass. However, Dalton's atomic theory states that atoms combine in simple whole number ratios by number of atoms, not by mass. For example, in water, two hydrogen atoms combine with one oxygen atom (H₂O).
