Question

which best describes why acetic acid (ch₃cooh) is an organic compound, but sodium hydroxide (naoh) is not?
acetic acid is an acid, but sodium hydroxide is a base.
an acetic acid molecule is relatively large, but a sodium hydroxide molecule is relatively small.
acetic acid contains a significant amount of carbon, but sodium hydroxide contains no carbon.
an acetic acid molecule contains a double bond, but a sodium hydroxide molecule contains only single bonds.

Explanation:

Organic compounds are defined as compounds that contain carbon. Acetic acid (\(CH_3COOH\)) contains carbon, while sodium hydroxide (\(NaOH\)) does not. The presence of carbon is the key differentiating factor between organic and non - organic compounds in this context.

Answer:

Acetic acid contains a significant amount of carbon, but sodium hydroxide contains no carbon.