The Law of Multiple Proportions is a fundamental principle in chemistry that states when two elements combine to form more than one compound, the masses of one element that combine with a fixed mass of the other element are in a ratio of small whole numbers. This law helps to illustrate the concept of atomic theory and the discrete nature of matter. For example, consider the compounds formed by carbon and oxygen. In carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), the mass of carbon that combines with a fixed mass of oxygen is in a simple ratio of 1:2. This demonstrates how different compounds can be formed from the same elements in specific, quantifiable ratios.