a paste of sodium hydrogen carbonate (sodium bicarbonate) can be used to relieve the pain of an ant bite. The irritant in the ant bite is formic acid (HCOOH), a weak acid. Which is the net ionic equation for the reaction that occurs?

Question

I know the reactants are NaHCO3 + HCOOH and I think the Products are CO2 + H2O + NaHCOO?

although I'm rather stuck, my professor had a sub today and we were given this problem and I have No idea how to start it right now...any help is greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Well, you have an interesting post; however, there is no problem attached. You're right about the formic acid and you're right about the equation. The complete equation is
HCOOH + NaHCO3 ==> H2O + CO2 + HCOONa.

I assume it is a problem asking how much NaHCO3 is required for ?? moles HCOOH. If so, or something similar, here is a stoichiometry problem I posted earlier. Just follow the steps.

http://www.jiskha.com/science/chemistry/stoichiometry.html

Answer 2

actually I just need the net ionic equation....I'm not so good with those and just need some more info