Certainly! To determine the chemical formula for acetic acid, let's go through the problem step-by-step:
1. Identify the given options:
- CH 1 O
- [tex]\( C_2H_4O_2 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( C_2OH \)[/tex]
2. Recall the structure of acetic acid:
Acetic acid is a commonly known carboxylic acid. It consists of two carbon atoms, four hydrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms. The structural formula can be detailed as such:
- One carbon atom forms a single bond with three hydrogen atoms.
- This carbon is then bonded to another carbon atom.
- The second carbon forms a double bond with one oxygen atom (carbonyl group) and a single bond with an OH group (hydroxyl group).
3. Match this information with the given options:
- Option 1: CH 1 O - This formula does not match the known composition of acetic acid.
- Option 3: [tex]\( C_2OH \)[/tex] - This formula is also incorrect as it does not account for the 4 hydrogen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms needed.
4. Select the correct formula:
- Option 2: [tex]\( C_2H_4O_2 \)[/tex] correctly represents acetic acid, aligning with the known composition and structure.
Therefore, the chemical formula for acetic acid is:
[tex]\[ C_2H_4O_2 \][/tex]
