Chapter 3, Problem 7PS

Equal amounts of two acids—HCl and HCO₂H (formic acid)—are placed in aqueous solution. When equilibrium has been achieved, the HCl solution has a much greater electrical conductivity than the HCO₂H solution. Which reaction is more product-favored at equilibrium?

${\text{HCl(aq)+H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O(}\mathcal{l}\text{)}\rightleftarrows {\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{\text{(aq)+Cl}}^{\text{-}}\text{(aq)}$

${\text{HCO}}_{\text{2}}{\text{H(aq)+H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O(}\mathcal{l}\text{)}\rightleftarrows {\text{H}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{\text{+}}{\text{(aq)+HCO}}_{\text{2}}{}^{\text{-}}\text{(aq})$