Final answer:
To determine the initial moles of HCO3- when 1.24 x 10^-3 moles of CO2 are collected, one would simply assume a 1:1 molar ratio between HCO3- and CO2, resulting in 1.24 x 10^-3 moles of HCO3-.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves determining the initial amount of bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) if you collect 1.24 x 10-3 moles of carbon dioxide (CO2). Assuming a one-to-one molar ratio between HCO3- and CO2 during the reaction, you would have started with the same amount of moles of bicarbonate ion, which is 1.24 x 10-3 moles of HCO3-. This is because in a typical reaction where HCO3- decomposes into CO2 and water (H2O), one mole of HCO3- will produce one mole of CO2.