Word
acid
Meanings
a chemical substance with a low pH that can react with metals, bases, and other materials
a substance, often in food, that tastes sour
Definition
An acid is a substance that has a low pH and can react with other materials, often tasting sour and sometimes causing corrosion.
An acid is a chemical substance that forms hydrogen ions in water and has a pH below 7. Many acids taste sour, and some can burn skin or corrode metals, so they must be handled carefully. In chemistry, acids often react with bases to form salts and water.
Examples
- The technician neutralized the acid before disposing of the solution.
- I accidentally spilled acid on the bench, so I rinsed the surface immediately and reported it.
- She added a small amount of acid to adjust the mixture’s pH for the experiment.
- They could taste the acid in the dressing, which gave the salad a sharper finish.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse acid with base/alkali and say something is an acid when they mean it has a high pH.
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