What is the chemical name of acetic acid?

Answer 1

Look at the formula of acetic acid. It is a carboxylic acid because it has a COOH group. Count the carbons in acetic acid, including the C in COOH. There are two. To give the the correct name you give the name of the alkane with two carbons (ethane), drop the final 'e' and add 'oic acid' because it is a carboxylic acid, giving "ethanoic acid." If you had CH3CH2COOH, you would get propane - e = propan + oic acid = propanoic acid.

Answer 2

Ethanoic acid is one name. Acetic acid is also acceptable.