Question

Are acids or bases more dangerous? Why?

Answer 1

Hint: Acids are chemical compounds that have a sour taste and turn blue litmus paper red. Bases have a bitter taste, are soapy to touch, and alter the colour of red litmus paper to blue. Acids include curd, lemon juice, orange juice, and vinegar, to name a few. Baking soda, lime water, window cleaner, and soap are just a few examples of bases. Acids are chemical entities that release hydrogen ions or absorb electrons in aqueous solution in terms of chemistry. Hydroxide ions ($OH^-$) are donated by bases, whereas hydrogen ions ($H^+$) are accepted by bases.

Complete answer:
Corrosive characteristics exist in both acids and bases, and a corrosive material is one that may harm or destroy other substances. If bases and acids come into touch with eye and skin tissues, they can cause harm. We do know, however, that not all acids and bases are dangerous. Any acid or base's corrosive quality is determined by their acidity and basicity, respectively.
More acidity in the acid will hasten the corrosion process. Similarly, a substance's corrosive tendency will be exacerbated by its high basicity. We now know that acids and bases are hazardous because of their corrosive properties, which are connected to acidity and basicity.
We may use the power of hydrogen (pH) to determine whether acid or base is more corrosive. The pH scale is a measurement of how acidic or basic a water-based solution is. The pH scale goes from 0 to 14. Basic solutions have a greater pH value than acidic solutions, which have a lower pH value.
Strong acids like hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, and phosphoric acid are extremely corrosive, but mild acids like citric acid found in citrus fruits and acetic acid found in vinegar are not. Some weak acids are safe to eat and do not affect the skin.
Chemical burns can be generated by either a strong acid or a strong base, although acid burns hurt more than burns caused by bases.
Because bases are slick, they are more difficult to remove than acids.
Base burns are more difficult to treat than acid burns because chemical burns from bases are difficult to find, don't cause as much agony as acid burns, and are also tough to remove.
In comparison to strong acids, a base with a high pH may easily penetrate the eye's surface. The damage caused by acids is restricted to the front portion of the eye.
As a result, "strong bases or alkaloids are more hazardous than strong acids."

Note:
As a result, we may infer that both acids and bases are damaging, although base burns are more serious due to the difficulties in treating them. Chemical burns generated by acids and bases can be unpleasant, and they can sometimes permanently harm tissues. The eyes, nasal passage, throat, and lungs can all be damaged by acid fumes. Acids and bases can cause significant harm to the stomach and intestine if consumed. When working with acids and bases, it's always a good idea to be cautious. When working with strong acids or bases, use protection equipment such as protective gloves, aprons, safety goggles, or safety shoes.