CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

In 12.3d, the acid HCOOH donates its proton to become the conjugate base HCO2^-

I understand this problem, but I was wondering, is it wrong to write HCOO^- as opposed to what the solutions manual says (HCO2^-)?

Is there a difference?

i think either way is fine, but if you write the formula as HCOO-, you emphasize the point that the carboxyl group in HCOOH has lost a H+ ion.