vinegar-HC2H3O2 ammonia-NH4OH what part of each (ammonia and vinegar) = acid: base:?

Question

ok so... this is the actual question from my book:
Look at the chemical formulas for vinegar(HC2H3O2) and ammonia(NH4OH). What part of each formula identifies each substance as an acid or base?
acid: base:

ok thanx
love to all
k

Answer 1

The front H on vinegar makes it an acid.
The ending OH on ammonia make it a base.

Answer 2

Since vinegar is an organic acid, you need its structure. It is, roughly, CH3-COOH, where the -COOH provides the H+. The dash between the "3" and the "C" is a single carbon-carbon bond.

For ammonia, the "OH" denotes the base character.

You just have to remember that all organic acids have a "-COOH" group which is the acid part.

Answer 3

When looking a chemical formulas if the compound begins with H it is probably an acid. If the compound contains OH it is often a base. (there are enough exceptions to this so be careful. If the molecule is an organic molecule [contains carbon] and you see and OH it is probably NOT a base)