Acetic Acid:This is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3COOH. It gives vinegar its acidic properties and distinctive smell and taste.
Fermentation: This is a metabolic process that produces chemical changes in organic substrates through the action of enzymes. In the case of vinegar, it's the process that transforms ethanol into acetic acid.
Ethanol: A volatile, flammable, colorless liquid - it's the alcohol present in alcoholic beverages. In terms of vinegar production, it's fermented to produce acetic acid.