Final answer:
CO2 is less soluble in water compared to CH2O because CH2O is a polar compound that can form hydrogen bonds with water, making it highly soluble, whereas CO2 relies on pressure and is less soluble under normal conditions. So option (2) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The solubility of carbon dioxide (CO2) in water is a topic within chemistry that considers the physical interaction between a gas and a solvent, in this case, water. Comparing the solubility of CO2 and formaldehyde (CH2O) in water requires a look at their physical and chemical properties. While CH2O is a polar compound and can form hydrogen bonds with water, making it quite soluble, CO2 does not form such bonds and relies on its gaseous nature and pressure to dissolve in water.
According to given data, CO2's solubility is related to the pressure above the water due to the Ideal gas law. The solubility increases as pressure increases, which indicates that at higher pressures, CO2 becomes more soluble. Since CH2O is already highly soluble due to its chemical properties, it does not rely on pressure to the same extent for its dissolution. Therefore, the statement "Is CO2 more soluble in water than CH2O?" is generally considered false since CH2O is highly soluble due to its polar nature, and CO2 is less soluble in water under normal conditions.