Question

Lunar caustic is KOH.
a.) True
b.) False

Answer 1

Hint: Lunar caustic is a salt of silver (Ag). Silver was called ‘Luna’ by the ancient alchemists, who associated silver with the moon. ‘Caustic’ means being able to corrode organic tissue by chemical action. Lunar caustic is an effective oxidizing agent for many organic compounds.

Complete step by step answer:
Lunar caustic is actually silver nitrate with chemical formula \[AgN{O_3}\]. Silver nitrate is a versatile precursor to many other silver compounds, for instance those used in photography. This salt is much less sensitive to light than the halides. It is known as Lunar caustic because ancient alchemists associated silver with the moon and thus silver was called ‘Luna’. Caustic means the ability to corrode organic tissue by chemical actions. This is exactly what \[AgN{O_3}\] does. Improper use of silver nitrate can cause chemical burns.
Some uses of Lunar caustic (\[AgN{O_3}\]) are:
It is a very effective oxidising agent for many organic compounds.
It is used for the removal of warts. It also destroys damaged and diseased tissues.
It kills microorganisms and reacts with the compounds in human flesh.
It stops superficial bleeding.
It is also used for cauterizing wounds and ulcerations.
A 1 percent or 2 percent solution of lunar caustic is effective against gonococcal bacteria and may be applied to the eyes of newborn infants to ensure against blindness from gonorrhoea.

Hence, lunar caustic is not KOH but actually \[AgN{O_3}\].
Therefore, the correct answer is (B) False.

Note: Remember that the other name of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is caustic potash or lye. The major use of caustic potash is in industries for making fertilizers, soaps and detergents.