Question

Formic acid, HCOOH, is a weak electrolyte. What solutes are present in an aqueous solution of this compound? Write the chemical equation for the ionization of HCOOH.

Short answer

The solutes present in an aqueous solution of formic acid (HCOOH) are H+ and HCOO- ions. The chemical equation for the ionization of HCOOH is: HCOOH $\rightleftharpoons$ H+ + HCOO-

Step-by-step solution

Identify the ions present in formic acid

Formic acid (HCOOH) is a weak acid, and when it ionizes in water, it will lose one hydrogen ion (H+) and form a formate ion (HCOO-). So the solutes present in an aqueous solution of formic acid are H+ and HCOO- ions.

Write the chemical equation for the ionization of formic acid

Now that we have identified the ions present in formic acid, we can write the equation for its ionization. Since it's a weak electrolyte, we will use a double arrow to indicate the partial ionization. The chemical equation for the ionization of formic acid (HCOOH) in water is: HCOOH $\rightleftharpoons$ H+ + HCOO-