What is the molar mass of formic acid (HCOOH)?

• A. 46.03 g/mol
• B. 44.01 g/mol
• C. 32.04 g/mol
• D. 60.05 g/mol

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the chemical formula of formic acid, which is HCOOH.
2. List the atomic masses of each element involved: Hydrogen (H) ≈ 1.01 g/mol, Carbon (C) ≈ 12.01 g/mol, and Oxygen (O) ≈ 16.00 g/mol.
3. Count the number of each type of atom in the formula HCOOH: 2 Hydrogens, 1 Carbon, and 2 Oxygens.
4. Calculate the total mass contributed by each element by multiplying the atomic mass by the number of atoms: (2 × 1.01) for H, (1 × 12.01) for C, and (2 × 16.00) for O.
5. Add all these contributions together to find the molar mass of formic acid: total mass = mass of H + mass of C + mass of O.