A mixture of `HCOOH` and `H_(2)C_(2)O_(4)` is heated with conc. `H_(2)SO_(4)`. The gas produced is collected and on treating with `KOH` solution the volume of the gas decreases by `1//6th`. Calculate molar ratio of two acids in original mixure.

Options

A. `4:1`
B. `1:4`
C. `3:1`
D. `2:1`

Answer

A

Explanation

`underset("a moles")(HCOOH) overset(H_(2)SO_(4))underset(("Conc"))rarr H_(2)O +underset("a moles")(CO)`
`underset("a moles")(H_(2)C_(2)O_(4)) overset(H_(2)SO_(4))underset(("Conc"))rarr H_(2)O +underset("b moles")(CO)+underset("b moles")(CO_(2))`
Total no. of moles released as gases `a +b +b = a +2b`
`CO_(2)` is absorbed by KOH
`b = (1)/(6) (a+2b)` (moles `oo` volume)
`(a)/(b) = 4` or `a:b :: 4:1`