if u spilt some hydrochloric acid onto your hand,why would it not be a good idea to neutralize it with sodium hydroxide
2006-10-11 06:12:08 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Reaction between hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide is highly exotermic, so it can cause you severe burns instead of preventing the damage of the acid on your skin.
It is better to put the hand in abundant water (very abundant rinsing and as long as acid is not very concentrated) and then immediately use the sodium bicarbonate as a less aggresive neutralizing agent.
Good luck!
2006-10-11 06:19:24 · answer #1 · answered by CHESSLARUS 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sodium hydroxide is a base. Hydrochloric acid is of course an acid. When an acid reacts with a base they neutralize each other (cancel out each other) and salt and water are form. In this reaction, the sodium from the base displaces (takes the place of) the hydrogen in the acid. Now the sodium has joined the chloride where the hydrogen used to be (HCl now NaCl). This is the salt formed. Now for the water. The hydrogen has moved to the hydroxide which forms the H-O-H molecule or H20. This is where water is made. So the prducts are the salt NaCl (sodium chloride) and H20 (water).
2016-03-28 05:05:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no need to use sodium hydroxide it is irritant and harmful to your skin, rinse your hand with a plenty of water , then wash it with soap, your hand is not a vessel for acid - base reaction , right
2006-10-11 06:46:11 · answer #3 · answered by basimsaleh 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sodium hydroxide is corrosive, and will actually do your hand more damage than the hydrochloric acid.
Use sodium hydrogencarbonate ("bicarb") instead.
2006-10-11 06:14:19 · answer #4 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The reaction between HCl and NaOH would burn your hand, it's highly exothermic. Plus the NaOH is corrosive so any excess will make the burn worse. Just wash it off or better still wear gloves in the first place.
2006-10-11 07:34:45 · answer #5 · answered by Ellie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can use a diluted solution of sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate, because sodium hydroxide is too strong and can damage your hand,
2006-10-11 06:37:51 · answer #6 · answered by latif 1 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
because
2015-10-07 05:48:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋