‘What is the name and chemical formula of the acid present in vinegar?’
The correct answer and explanation is:
Answer:
The acid present in vinegar is called acetic acid, and its chemical formula is CH₃COOH.
Explanation:
Vinegar is a common household item used for cooking, cleaning, and preservation. The primary acidic component that gives vinegar its characteristic sour taste and pungent smell is acetic acid. Chemically, acetic acid is a simple carboxylic acid, which means it contains a carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to a methyl group (CH₃).
The molecular formula CH₃COOH reflects this structure:
- The CH₃- group (methyl group) is bonded to the carboxyl functional group -COOH.
- The carboxyl group is responsible for the acidic properties of acetic acid.
In vinegar, acetic acid typically exists at a concentration of about 4-8% by volume. This concentration is enough to provide the tangy flavor and antimicrobial effects vinegar is known for.
How is acetic acid formed in vinegar?
Vinegar is produced through the fermentation of ethanol (alcohol) by acetic acid bacteria (genus Acetobacter). During this biological process, ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is oxidized to acetic acid:
C2H5OH+O2→CH3COOH+H2O\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{H}_2\text{O}
This conversion is crucial in turning alcoholic liquids like wine or cider into vinegar.
Why is acetic acid important?
- Culinary uses: It adds flavor to foods and acts as a preservative by inhibiting bacterial growth.
- Industrial uses: Acetic acid is also used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers, plastics, and as a chemical reagent.
- Health: Diluted acetic acid (vinegar) is sometimes used as a mild disinfectant or in traditional medicine.
In summary, the acid responsible for vinegar’s distinct properties is acetic acid, with the chemical formula CH₃COOH, making vinegar a mild acidic solution widely used in everyday life.