Formic acid, HCOOH, is a weak electrolyte.

Part A

What solute particles are present in an aqueous solution of this compound?

Express your answer as a chemical formula. If there is more than one answer, enter each answer separated by a comma.

Part B

Write the chemical equation for the ionization of HCOOH.

Express your answer as a balanced chemical equation. Identify all of the phases in your answer.

Part A: In an aqueus solution there are three solute particles: H3O+, HCOO - and HCOOH

Part B: HCOOH (aq) + H2O (l) ⇄ HCOO - (aq) + H3O + (aq)

Explanation:

Part A

Weak acids don't completely ionize in solution, for this reason, a formic acid solution contains un-ionized acid, it means there are many intact molecules of formic acid and only a fraction of the dissolved molecules ionize to form H3O + (aq) and HCOO - (aq).

Part B

The chemical equation is:

HCOOH (aq) + H2O (l) ⇄ HCOO - (aq) + H3O + (aq)

The double arrows in this equation indicate that the ionization can occur in both the forward and reverse directions.