What is the formula for methyl alcohol?

Methyl alcohol, commonly known as methanol, has the chemical formula CH₃OH. This formula represents a single carbon atom bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one hydroxyl group (–OH). The presence of the hydroxyl group is what classifies it as an alcohol.

The structure indicates that there is only one carbon atom in the molecule, which aligns with the name "methyl," derived from the word "methyl" referring to a single-carbon alkyl group. The hydroxyl group denotes that it is an alcohol, further confirming the identity of methanol.

The other options given represent different compounds. For instance, the formula CH₃CH₂OH corresponds to ethanol, which has two carbon atoms and is a different type of alcohol. The formula CH₃CH-OHCH₃ suggests a more complex structure with four carbon atoms, indicating a branched alcohol, which is not representative of methyl alcohol. Lastly, CCl₄ (carbon tetrachloride) indicates a compound containing chlorine atoms instead of a hydroxyl group, which is not an alcohol and thus not relevant to this question. Therefore, the formula A, CH₃OH, accurately describes methyl alcohol.