CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

Can someone explain why formic acid(CH2O2) is considered stronger than acetic acid(CH3COOH)?

In acetic acid, the CH3 is actually electron donating, which means that it adds electron density and makes it harder to remove the H. The easier it is to remove an H, the stronger the acid. So, because it's hard to remove the H in acetic acid, acetic acid is weaker than formic acid.

The strength of an acid is all in relation to how easily the Hydrogen proton can separate from the compound, in this case, it is easier for formic acid to lose a hydrogen proton.