Equal masses of oxygen, hydrogen and methane are kept under identical conditions. The ratio of the volumes of gases will be A. 2 : 16 : 2 B. 2 : 16 : 1 C. 1 : 16 : 2 D. 1 : 1 : 1

The correct answer is D. 1 : 1 : 1.

The ratio of the volumes of gases will be 1 : 1 : 1, regardless of their masses, as long as they are kept under identical conditions. This is because the volume of a gas is proportional to the number of moles of gas, and the number of moles of a gas is proportional to its mass.

For example, if we have 1 gram of oxygen, 1 gram of hydrogen, and 1 gram of methane, all kept at the same temperature and pressure, the volume of each gas will be the same. This is because each gas has the same number of moles, even though they have different masses.

The following is a more detailed explanation of each option:

• Option A: 2 : 16 : 2. This option is incorrect because it does not take into account the fact that the gases are kept under identical conditions. The volume of a gas is proportional to the number of moles of gas, and the number of moles of a gas is proportional to its mass. Therefore, if we have 1 gram of oxygen, 1 gram of hydrogen, and 1 gram of methane, all kept at the same temperature and pressure, the volume of each gas will be the same.
• Option B: 2 : 16 : 1. This option is incorrect because it does not take into account the fact that the gases are kept under identical conditions. The volume of a gas is proportional to the number of moles of gas, and the number of moles of a gas is proportional to its mass. Therefore, if we have 1 gram of oxygen, 1 gram of hydrogen, and 1 gram of methane, all kept at the same temperature and pressure, the volume of each gas will be the same.
• Option C: 1 : 16 : 2. This option is incorrect because it does not take into account the fact that the gases are kept under identical conditions. The volume of a gas is proportional to the number of moles of gas, and the number of moles of a gas is proportional to its mass. Therefore, if we have 1 gram of oxygen, 1 gram of hydrogen, and 1 gram of methane, all kept at the same temperature and pressure, the volume of each gas will be the same.
• Option D: 1 : 1 : 1. This option is correct because it takes into account the fact that the gases are kept under identical conditions. The volume of a gas is proportional to the number of moles of gas, and the number of moles of a gas is proportional to its mass. Therefore, if we have 1 gram of oxygen, 1 gram of hydrogen, and 1 gram of methane, all kept at the same temperature and pressure, the volume of each gas will be the same.