Why should acids be stored away from bases?

Why should acids be stored away from bases?

• A. To prevent potential hazardous reactions.
• B. To improve taste.
• C. To speed up neutralization near the shelf.
• D. To simplify labeling.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that acids and bases react when they come into contact, and this can be dangerous. Keeping them apart reduces the chance of an accidental neutralization, which is often exothermic and can cause splashing, release of heat, and potentially hazardous fumes. This is why acids should be stored away from bases. Taste is irrelevant to storage safety, so that option isn’t appropriate. The idea of speeding up neutralization near the shelf would create a hazard, not a safety benefit. And labeling is a separate issue from chemical incompatibility; storing acids away from bases doesn’t affect labeling.

The main idea is that acids and bases react when they come into contact, and this can be dangerous. Keeping them apart reduces the chance of an accidental neutralization, which is often exothermic and can cause splashing, release of heat, and potentially hazardous fumes. This is why acids should be stored away from bases.

Taste is irrelevant to storage safety, so that option isn’t appropriate. The idea of speeding up neutralization near the shelf would create a hazard, not a safety benefit. And labeling is a separate issue from chemical incompatibility; storing acids away from bases doesn’t affect labeling.