Question

methanoic and ethanoic acid cause

Answer 1

The acidity of carboxylic acid is determined by the stability of its conjugate base, i.e its deprotonated form (RCOO-).

The difference between these two acids lies in their R group, which represent H for methanoic acid and CH3 for ethanoic acid respectively. CH3, being an alkyl group, would exert electron donating inductive effect on its neighboring COO- group, intensifying the negative charge on O atom. This destabilizes the CH3COO- ion, leading to a lesser extent of dissociation of ethanoic acid compared to methanoic acid.

Answer 2

Ethanoic or acetic acid must never be ingested. It can cause chemical burns and blisters on unprotected skin after only a few minutes. Highly concentrated acetic acid can damage the cornea of the eye as well, and that can result in vision loss

methanoic acid
The principal use of formic acid is as a preservative and antibacterial agent in livestock feed. When sprayed on fresh hay or other silage, it arrests certain decay processes and causes the feed to retain its nutritive value longer.Formic acid (systematically calledmethanoic acid) is the simplest carboxylic acid.