Question

In what order should strong acids and water be mixed?

Answer 1

`"If you spit in acid, it spits back! So should you spit in the acid?"`

Explanation:

`"May her rest be long and placid;"`
`"She added water to the acid;"`
`"The other girl did as she oughter;"`
`"She added acid to the water."`

This is a very important practical tip. Especially as at A level students may sometimes deal with concentrated acids. A small quantity of water in concentrated acid will get very hot as it hydrates the acid, and it may spit. And if you get such a drop in your eye, that's your eye gone. On the other hand, when conc. acid is added to water, it won't spit; the solution will still heat up, but it will do so gradually.

So it's `"ACID to WATER"`

When you work with acids, you MUST ALWAYS wear safety spectacles; or glasses if you are a speccy. Chemists routinely wear lab coats to protect their clothing from acid spills.