Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Homologues in a series differ by a \(-\text{CH}_2-\) group. The given compound \(\text{CH}_3(\text{CH}_2)_2\text{COOH}\) has 4 carbons, so it is butanoic acid.
Step 2: Go down the series:
First lower homologue: remove one \(\text{CH}_2\), giving propanoic acid (3 carbons).
Second lower homologue: remove another \(\text{CH}_2\), giving ethanoic acid \(\text{CH}_3\text{COOH}\) (2 carbons).
Step 3: Check options:
Methanoic acid is the third lower homologue, propanoic acid is the first lower, and pentanoic acid is a higher homologue.
Final Answer:
The second lower homologue is ethanoic acid, option (B).
\[ \boxed{\text{Ethanoic acid}} \]