Operation Acid Gambit Trivia Quiz

Answer: pH scale

The pH scale consists of numbers from 0-14. Liquids that measure 0-7 are acids with 0 being the strongest. Bases will measure from 7-14 with 14 being the strongest. A pH of 7 means that the liquid is neutral. Distilled water has a pH of 7. The scale is a convention for measurement and some sources argue that acids can be negative figures and bases can be stronger than 14.

Answer: False

Acids with a low pH of 1 are the most dangerous because they are extremely reactive. They are used by scientists to get chemical reactions in the lab. Even though they can be dangerous they are very useful.

Answer: sour

Acids are sour. Fruits like grapefruits, lemons and oranges contain citric acid in their juice. It is the citric acid that makes lemons and grapefruits so sour.

Answer: hydrochloric acid

Hydrochloric acid also destroys harmful bacteria that would cause us to become sick. It is an acid that is used in factories to perform many functions. Some of these are: to tan leather, to purify salt, to remove rust and scales from steel and to make organic compounds.

Answer: citric acid

Citrus fruits contain citric acid. This acid is grouped among the weak acids. It is used as a preservative/conservative for foods and may be used to add a tang or sour taste to some foods and juices. It can also be used in detergents and cosmetics.

Answer: True

Boric acid is also known as hydrogen borate. It is a poison that is extremely dangerous. It is very useful in controlling unwanted insects such as cockroaches. Insecticides, herbicides and fungicides may be composed of boric acid. It is a weak acid that may also be used for antiseptic purposes.

Answer: Cyanic Acid

This acid is also called isocyanic acid. It is a liquid acid which is unstable and poisonous. This highly volatile acid is used in the preparation of cyanides and it also produces carbon dioxide and ammonia when it hydrolyzes in water.

Answer: to prevent and treat anaemia

Folic acid is a B vitamin that is water soluble. It aids in absorption of minerals such as iron. Pregnant women are benefitted by folic acid as it helps to prevent neural problems such as spina bifida in the developing baby. Folic acid is vital for the body to develop properly as it helps to produce DNA.

Answer: sulphuric acid

Sulphuric acid is a mineral acid that is very strong. Sulphuric acid is very explosive and can be combined with other acids to make bombs and missiles for the purpose of destruction. TNT, nitroglycerine and dynamite are explosives that contain sulphuric acid.

This acid is also extremely corrosive and can be used in producing batteries, drain cleaners and fertilizers. It can be used in the refining of oil as well.

Answer: carbonic acid

One of the weak acids is carbonic acid. The lungs excrete this acid as a gas. It is used in the production of soda water. In geological processes, limestone is dissolved by carbonic acid and calcium bicarbonate is produced. Stalagmites and stalactites are formed during this process.