Final answer:
Organic acids are usually carbon-containing acids from biological sources, while mineral acids are derived from inorganic sources without carbon. The naming and understanding of these acids are based on their chemical behavior according to the Arrhenius theory of acids and bases, which involves the production of hydrogen ions in solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terms organic acids and mineral acids are derived from the sources and chemical composition of the acids. Organic acids, such as acetic acid (CH2COOH) or ascorbic acid (vitamin C), typically contain carbon and are derived from living organisms or are related to compounds found in living organisms.
In contrast, mineral acids like hydrochloric acid (HCl) or sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are generally derived from inorganic minerals or non-biological processes.
Acids that have a simple composition, consisting of hydrogen and another element, are named with the 'hydro-' prefix and the '-ic' suffix, such as hydrochloric acid for HCl. According to the Arrhenius definition, an acid is a substance that produces hydrogen ions (H+) in solution, while a base produces hydroxide ions (OH-). The terms for acids stem from their behavior in water and their historical discovery or isolation from their respective sources.