It was observed experimentally that 3 grams of carbon combines with 4 grams of oxygen to form carbon monoxide.
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The molecular formula of carbon monoxide is CO.
Relative atomic masses were determined by analyzing the ratios in which elements combined to form compounds and applying the laws of chemical combinations to deduce the relative masses of the atoms involved.
Determining the mass of an individual atom was challenging, so scientists determined relative atomic masses using chemical combinations and the compounds formed, as per Dalton’s theory.
Scientists were prompted to measure atomic masses because Dalton’s theory suggested that each element had a unique atomic mass, leading to a desire to quantify these masses for further study.