How to add acid to water
Answers
Answer:
If you add water to acid, you form an extremely concentrated solution of acid initially and the solution may boil very violently, splashing concentrated acid. If you add acid to water, the solution that forms is very dilute and the small amount of heat released is not enough to vaporize and spatter it.
Answer:
Whether you add acid to water or water to acid, the process itself is essentially the same - the acid is ionised and dissolves in the water (or if you want to look at it that way, the water dissolves in the acid, releasing ions - it’s much the same thing).
With sulphuric and nitric acids (and a number of other similar acids), this is an extremely exothermic reaction, so a lot of heat is given out as the two are mixed.
When a small amount of acid is added to water, any heat that is created is dissipated through the water. If you add more relatively quickly, the heat given off can be enough to heat the water to boiling point.
And that’s the problem - if you add a small amount of water to concentrated acid, the heat can build up rapidly and boil the water before it fully mixes with the acid. The boiling water can then splash hot acid out of the mixing container, which is an obvious safety hazard.
In short, always add acid to water, never add water to acid.
Have a nice day !