I've never taken a chem class before so I want be able to understand the joke!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/science/7d73/
2006-12-14 10:30:34 · 8 answers · asked by D 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
sulfuric acid, maybe?
2006-12-14 10:35:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This t-shirt isn't amusing in the least because mistaking sulfuric acid for water would be difficult. H2SO4(sulfuric acid) is a strong acid with the ability to dissolve organic material. If you ever have the chance, put an insect in a beaker of sulfuric acid overnight. In the morning the insect will be no more...it will dissolve into the acid. Sulfuric acid's implication in chemistry is widespread. In environmental chemistry we use it as a cleanup technique for soil extracts. The sulfuric acid removes organic interferences prior to sample analysis by GC/ECD for PCBs. It is also used to adjust water pH levels for certain sample extractions. The other important note here is that sulfuric acid and water don't mix well. If you poured a beaker of water into a beaker of sulfuric acid, an exothermic reaction, one that releases heat, would occur. A violent reaction occurs with heat, volatile unleashing of liquid as the chemicals mingle, and lots of smoke. I've seen this occur when a novice chemist, like Johnny tried diluting sulfuric acid with water by pouring the water directly into the sulfuric acid. The reaction was so violent his lab coat and clothing were eaten through by the sulfuric, he had to strip in the lab and go home. One rule of thumb in the lab. If you spill sulfuric acid on your skin, you don't use water to clean it off, this just creates a worse situation. In Johnny's case, he would instantly realize he hadn't drank water, and would probably spit it out, but the reaction with the saliva in his mouth would be violent and he would likely end up in the emergency room with an extended visit in hospital recovery.
2006-12-14 19:54:59 · answer #2 · answered by shoonutz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sulfuric acid. = H2SO4
2006-12-14 18:36:31 · answer #3 · answered by docrider28 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
H2SO4 is sulfuric acid, not water.
Guess it doesn't take much to amuse Chem geeks. (like myself ;)
2006-12-14 18:36:27 · answer #4 · answered by Johnny A 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
H20 is water, and H2SO4 is sulfuric acid.
2006-12-14 18:36:09 · answer #5 · answered by Chip R 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sulfuric acid
2006-12-14 18:36:45 · answer #6 · answered by Wiked 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
H2SO4 is sulphuric acid..it would kill little johhny boy
2006-12-14 18:37:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sulphuric acid
2006-12-14 18:49:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋