GENERAL KNOWLEDGE

GK

CHEMISTRY

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
The Latin word formica means ant. The name formic acid is derived from this Latin word because
A
ants are attracted by the odour of this acid
B
this acid was first obtained by the distillation of ants
C
this acid, in ancient times, was used to eliminate ant-hills
D
this corrosive acid is secreted by ants to drive away their enemies
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Abhishek Mishra. Answer: Option C Solution: The Latin word formica means ant. The name formic acid is derived from this Latin word because this acid was first obtained by the distillation of ants.

Detailed explanation-2: -The name formic acid is derived from this Latin word because. A. this acid in acient time was used to kill ants.

Detailed explanation-3: -formic (adj.) 1791 (in formic acid), literally “from ants, ‘’ coined from Latin formica “ant” (see Formica (n. 2)). The acid first was obtained in a fairly pure form in 1749 by German chemist Andreas Sigismund Marggraf (1709-1782), who prepared it by distilling red ants. It also is found in nettles and bee stings.

Detailed explanation-4: -Most of it is made from carbon monoxide, either by heating it with sodium hydroxide to produce sodium formate, which is then acidified, or via the base-catalyzed reaction of CO and methanol to make methyl formate, which is hydrolyzed to the acid. Formic acid is also a major byproduct of acetic acid manufacture.

Detailed explanation-5: -They also produce large quantities of formic acid in their venom gland, which they readily spray to defend or disinfect their nest.

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