Question

A student working in a laboratory added some water to a syrupy liquid taken in a test tube. The test tube immediately cracked and the liquid escaped out. This liquid on reaction with the student's skin caused blisters. What can be the possible reason for this reaction?

• A. The reaction is highly endothermic.
• B. The reaction is highly exothermic.
• C. No reaction takes place.
• D. The syrupy liquid is a base.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

The reaction is highly exothermic.

This syrupy liquid is a concentrated acid. When water is added to the acid a vigorous reaction takes place which is highly exothermic. As a result, the reaction mixture may splash out and cause burns. The container may also break due to excessive local heating. Hence, it is always advised that acid should be added to water in small lots so that the heat produced in the above reaction is reduced.