• Question: what would happen if you mixed acids and alkalis together? A) Nothing. B) It would explode. C) It will make salty water. D) It will make sour taisting water.

    Asked by jennifer627 to Ed, Katie, Sam, Steve, Vera on 15 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Sam Tazzyman

      Sam Tazzyman answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Well it’s a long time since I did my GCSE Science (the last time I did Chemistry) but if I remember correctly the answer is c).

    • Photo: Steven Daly

      Steven Daly answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      I’d get in trouble for not knowing this, given I work in a chemistry department!

      Acid + Base = Salt + Water

      so for example:
      HCl + NaOH = H20 + NaCl

    • Photo: Katie Marriott

      Katie Marriott answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      Steven is correct! You make water and a salt.

    • Photo: Vera Weisbecker

      Vera Weisbecker answered on 14 Jun 2011:

      C is definitely true but strong acids and alkalis (so alkaline substances, rather than alkali metals who can go off with a bang) can produce a lot of heat. So maybe with a bit of (bad) luck you’ll also get an explosion or at least a little bit of glass breakage?

    • Photo: Ed Morrison

      Ed Morrison answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      I hope you’re not getting us to do your chemistry homework!

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