Alkanoic acids are weak acids and ionises in solution to give

Explanation

This Chemistry question is about alkanoic acids and how they ionize in solution. The question is asking what products are formed when alkanoic acids ionize in solution.

Alkanoic acids are weak acids, which means they only partially ionize in solution. When an alkanoic acid ionizes in solution, it forms a negatively charged ion called a carboxylate ion or RCOO\(^-\), and a positively charged hydrogen ion or H\(^+\). Out of the given options, option B is correct. Option B states that alkanoic acids ionize in solution to give RCOO\(^-\) + H\(^+\). This means that the alkanoic acid loses a hydrogen ion, which becomes H\(^+\), and the remaining part of the molecule becomes RCOO\(^-\). Option A is incorrect because it suggests that the alkanoic acid loses an electron to form R\(^+\) and COOH. This is not correct because the alkanoic acid does not lose an electron during ionization. Option C is incorrect because it suggests that the alkanoic acid gains a hydrogen ion to form RCOO\(^+\) and H\(^-\). This is not correct because the alkanoic acid loses a hydrogen ion during ionization. Option D is incorrect because it suggests that the alkanoic acid loses a hydroxide ion to form RCO\(^+\) and OH\(^-\). This is not correct because the alkanoic acid loses a hydrogen ion during ionization, not a hydroxide ion. In summary, when alkanoic acids ionize in solution, they form RCOO\(^-\) and H\(^+\). It is important to understand that alkanoic acids are weak acids and only partially ionize in solution.