Concept:
Acid strength of substituted carboxylic acids depends on the stability of the conjugate base:
\[
RCH_2COOH \rightleftharpoons RCH_2COO^- + H^+
\]
Electron-withdrawing groups stabilize the carboxylate ion by
-I effect, increasing acidity.
Stronger $-I$ effect $\Rightarrow$ stronger acid.
Step 1: Compare electron-withdrawing groups.
Given substituents:
- $-NO_2$ : very strong $-I$ effect
- $-CN$ : strong $-I$ effect
- $-F$ : strong electronegative halogen
- $-Cl$ : weaker than F
General order here:
\[
-NO_2>-CN>-F>-Cl
\]
Step 2: Apply to acids.
Therefore acidity decreases as:
\[
NO_2CH_2COOH>NCCH_2COOH>FCH_2COOH>ClCH_2COOH
\]
Step 3: Match option.
This exactly matches:
$$\boxed{\text{Option (C)}}$$
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