Question

A mixture of `H_2C_2O_4` and `HCOOH` is heated with conc `H_2SO_4`. The gas produced is collected and on treatment with KOH solution, the volume of the gas decreases by `(1)/(6)` calculate the molar ratio of the two acids in the original mixture.

Answer 1

`H_2C_2O_4underset(triangle)overset(H_2SO_4)toH_2O+underset(y)(CO)+underset(y)(CO_2)`
`underset(x)(HCOOH)underset(triangle)overset(H_2SO_4)toH_2O+underset(x)(CO)`
Let x and y moles of HCOOH and `H_2C_2O_4` be present in the original mixture.
Total moles of CO formed `=x+y`
Moles of `CO_2` formed `=y`
Total moles of gases `=x+y+y=x+2y`
Since KOH solution absorbs `CO_2` and volume reduces by `(1)/(6)`.
Moles of `CO_2(1)/(6)(x+2y)`
`y=(1)/(6)(x+2y)`
`(x)/(y)=4`
`x:y::4:1`