Question

formic acid (hcooh) is found in the venom of some ants and bees. it decomposes into carbon monoxide (co) and water (h₂o). which model accurately represents this reaction? h c o

Explanation:

The reaction is \(HCOOH
ightarrow CO + H_2O\). We need to check the number of atoms of each element (H, C, O) on both sides of the reaction.

• For the first model:
• Reactant side: 2 H, 1 C, 2 O (from \(HCOOH\)).
• Product side: 2 H, 1 C, 2 O (1 C and 1 O in \(CO\), 2 H and 1 O in \(H_2O\)).
• For the second model:
• Reactant side: 4 H, 2 C, 4 O (from \(2HCOOH\)).
• Product side: 2 H, 1 C, 2 O (1 C and 1 O in \(CO\), 2 H and 1 O in \(H_2O\)). The atom counts do not match.

Answer:

The first model.