To identify the gas with the highest solubility in water at 298 K and 1 atm pressure, we examine the provided Henry's law constants, \( K_H \). Henry's law establishes a relationship between a gas's solubility in a liquid and its partial pressure above the liquid, expressed as:
Solubility \( \propto \frac{1}{K_H} \)
Consequently, a lower \( K_H \) value signifies greater solubility. Let's compare the \( K_H \) values for the given options:
| Gas | \( K_H \) (atm) |
|---|---|
| Methanal | 0.000018 |
| Argon | 40.3 |
| Methane | 0.41 |
| CO2 | 1.6 |
Methanal exhibits the lowest \( K_H \) value among the options at 0.000018 atm, indicating it possesses the maximum solubility in water.
Thus, the correct choice is: Methanal