Question

acetic acid, an organic compound, has the following structural formula.
what is the chemical formula for acetic acid?
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Explanation:

Step1: Count carbon atoms

There are 2 carbon (C) atoms in the structure.

Step2: Count hydrogen atoms

There are 4 hydrogen (H) atoms in the methyl - group ($-CH_3$) and 1 hydrogen atom in the $-OH$ group, so a total of 4 + 1=5 hydrogen atoms.

Step3: Count oxygen atoms

There are 2 oxygen (O) atoms, one in the carbon - oxygen double bond and one in the $-OH$ group.

Answer:

$C_2H_4O_2$