Which ions are produced when acetic acid (CH3COOH) is dissolved in water?

When acetic acid (CH3COOH) is dissolved in water, it undergoes a partial ionization process, resulting in the formation of ions. Acetic acid is a weak acid, and it dissociates in water according to the following equilibrium:

[ \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} \rightleftharpoons \text{H}^+ + \text{CH}_3\text{COO}^- ]

In this process, the acetic acid donates a proton (H+) to water, generating a hydronium ion (H3O+) and the acetate ion (CH3COO^-). The acetate ion is the conjugate base of acetic acid and plays a crucial role in the acid-base chemistry involved.

The ions produced when acetic acid is dissolved in water are H+ ions and acetate ions (CH3COO^-). This accurately represents the dissociation of acetic acid, making the choice of acetate and hydrogen ions as the correct answer valid.

Other options do not reflect the accurate dissociation products of acetic acid. For instance, the presence of CH3 or COOH- in the other choices does not match any of the typical ions formed during the