Question

Explain why:
Acetic acid is a weaker acid as compared to formic acid.

Answer 1

Acetic acid has methyl group attached to carboxylic acid $COOH$ that shows positive inductive effect and increases the electron density on the $C$ of $COOH$ group, thereby reduces its acidity. While in formic acid i.e. $HCOOH$ no such electron donating group is present hence will have higher bond polarity of $C-O$ bond and shows greater acidity than acetic acid.