• Question: What is the most corrosive acid?

    Asked by kamilo12 on 14 May 2012. This question was also asked by gb2303.
    • Photo: Pete Etchells

      Pete Etchells answered on 14 May 2012:

      That’s an interesting one! I’m not totally sure on the answer, and I think it depends on whether you’re talking about something that’s corrosive to organic or inorganic things. For inorganic substances, I think sulphuric acid is one of the most corrosive acids; it can burn through various stones and metals. For organic matter (like living flesh), hydrofluoric acid is very dangerous. It can damage nerve endings, so people who have been burned by it tend not to notice until a day or so after, after it has done lots of damage.

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