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Step 1. Protonation of Acetic Acid
          H+
           │
           ▼
CH₃–C(=O)–OH   →   CH₃–C(=O⁺H)–OH
  (Acetic Acid)       (Activated)

Step 2. Nucleophilic Attack by Methanol
                   CH₃–OH
                     │
                     ▼
         CH₃–C(=O⁺H)–OH   +  CH₃–OH
                   │
                   ▼
      Tetrahedral Intermediate:
         CH₃–C(OH)(OCH₃)–OH
           (4-coordinate carbon)

Step 3. Proton Transfer (to convert –OH into a better leaving group)
         CH₃–C(OH)(OCH₃)–OH  →  CH₃–C(OH)(OCH₃)–OH₂⁺

Step 4. Elimination of Water
         CH₃–C(OH)(OCH₃)–OH₂⁺
                   │
                   ▼   (Loss of H₂O)
         →   CH₃–C(O⁺H)(OCH₃)   +   H₂O
    (Protonated Ester)

Step 5. Deprotonation to Form the Final Ester
         CH₃–C(O⁺H)(OCH₃)   →  CH₃–C(O)–OCH₃  +  H⁺
                (Methyl Acetate)