What type of acid is CH3COOH?

Acetic acid, represented by the formula CH3COOH, is classified as a weak acid. This is because, in an aqueous solution, it does not completely dissociate into its ions. Unlike strong acids, which fully ionize and release a higher concentration of hydrogen ions, weak acids only partially dissociate. As a result, solutions of weak acids, including acetic acid, have a higher pH compared to strong acids at the same concentration.

The behavior of acetic acid is characteristic of weak acids. When acetic acid is dissolved in water, it reaches an equilibrium state where only a fraction of the acetic acid molecules donate protons (hydrogen ions) to the solution. This partial ionization contributes to its classification as a weak acid, where the chemical equilibrium involves both the undissociated molecule and the ions produced, leading to a less acidic environment overall compared to strong acids.