Carboxylic acids, like ethanoic acid, differ from mineral acids such as HCl in terms of their acidity due to their chemical structure. Carboxylic acids contain the carboxyl functional group (-COOH), which can release a proton (H+) in solution, making them weak acids. In contrast, mineral acids like HCl completely dissociate in water, releasing all their protons, making them strong acids. Consequently, carboxylic acids exhibit weaker acidic properties compared to mineral acids. This difference in acidity affects their behavior in reactions and their ability to donate protons, influencing their applications in various chemical processes.