What is the chemical formula of acetic acid?

Acetic acid, also known as ethanoic acid, has the chemical formula CH₃COOH. This structure can be broken down as follows:

• The CH₃ represents a methyl group, which indicates the presence of a carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms.

• The CO part denotes a carbonyl group (C=O), where a carbon atom is double-bonded to an oxygen atom.

• The OH indicates a hydroxyl group, which is characteristic of acids.

When considering the various options, the correct choice explicitly shows each structural component consistent with acetic acid. The structural formula with a methyl group attached to a carbonyl group, followed by a hydroxyl group, accurately represents acetic acid's molecular structure, confirming that it effectively depicts both the functional groups and the arrangement of atoms.

The other choices depict different compounds or structural formats that do not align with the characteristics of acetic acid. For example, having additional carbon chains or different functional groups would categorize those as completely different substances. Thus, the answer reflects a solid understanding of the unique structure of acetic acid.