If you added .1 M NaOH to 1 M HCO2H a few millimeters at a time what would happen?

When you add a few millimeters of 0.1 M NaOH solution at a time to 1 M HCO2H (formic acid), a neutralization reaction occurs. Formic acid (HCO2H) is a weak acid, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base.

To understand what happens during this process, we need to consider the reaction between the acid (HCO2H) and the base (NaOH):

HCO2H + NaOH → HCO2Na + H2O

In this reaction, formic acid (HCO2H) reacts with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce sodium formate (HCO2Na) and water (H2O).

Since formic acid is a weak acid and sodium hydroxide is a strong base, the reaction proceeds towards completion. As you gradually add the sodium hydroxide solution to the formic acid, the pH of the solution will rise. This is due to the neutralization of the acid by the base, resulting in the formation of its conjugate base (sodium formate) and water.

By adding the sodium hydroxide solution incrementally, you have more control over the reaction progress and can monitor the changes in pH more accurately. This approach allows you to track the neutralization process step by step, rather than overshooting the reaction and ending up with an excessive amount of base.

Overall, the gradual addition of a few millimeters of 0.1 M NaOH solution to 1 M HCO2H will neutralize the acid, increasing the pH of the solution while producing sodium formate and water.