Which acid is the organic acid commonly used in vinegar?

Study for the IMAT Chemistry Exam. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions; hints and explanations included for each question. Prepare effectively for your exam.

Multiple Choice

Which acid is the organic acid commonly used in vinegar?

Explanation:
Vinegar is a dilute solution of a specific organic acid in water. That acid is acetic acid, which gives vinegar its characteristic sour taste and preservative qualities. It’s produced by the fermentation of ethanol to acetic acid by certain bacteria. The other acids listed are not responsible for vinegar’s properties: phosphoric and nitric acids are inorganic mineral acids used in other contexts, and carbonic acid is the weak acid associated with carbonated drinks and fizz rather than vinegar. So the acid you find in vinegar is acetic acid.

Vinegar is a dilute solution of a specific organic acid in water. That acid is acetic acid, which gives vinegar its characteristic sour taste and preservative qualities. It’s produced by the fermentation of ethanol to acetic acid by certain bacteria. The other acids listed are not responsible for vinegar’s properties: phosphoric and nitric acids are inorganic mineral acids used in other contexts, and carbonic acid is the weak acid associated with carbonated drinks and fizz rather than vinegar. So the acid you find in vinegar is acetic acid.

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