How many oxygen atoms are in a molecule of a carboxylic acid?Question 4Select one:a.3b.4c.1d.2

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the general structure of a carboxylic acid, which generally contains a carboxyl functional group (-COOH).
2. Determine the number of oxygen atoms present in the carboxylic acid structure.

Relevant Concepts

1. A carboxylic acid is characterized by the presence of the -COOH group.
2. In the -COOH group, there are 2 oxygen atoms.

Analysis and Detail

1. The structure of a carboxylic acid can be represented as R-COOH, where R is a hydrocarbon chain.
2. The carboxyl group (-COOH) consists of:
   • One carbon atom (C)
   • Two oxygen atoms (O)
   • One hydrogen atom (H)

Verify and Summarize

• Since there are 2 oxygen atoms in the carboxyl group, regardless of the hydrocarbon chain present (R), each molecule of carboxylic acid contains exactly 2 oxygen atoms.

Final Answer

The number of oxygen atoms in a molecule of a carboxylic acid is 2, so the correct option is d.2.