Question

While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water and not water to the acid?

Give reason:

For dilution of an acid, acid is added into water and not water into acid.

Answer 1

Since the process of dissolving an acid in water is exothermic, it is always recommended that the acid be added to water. If it is done the other way, then it is possible that because of the large amount of heat generated, the mixture splashes out and causes burns.

Answer 2

1. Diluting is a process that involves adding concentrated acid to the water. The concentrated water will be added gradually by stirring.
2. There is heat that is evolved slowly and gradually, so concentrated acid is added because diluting the acid easily absorbs a large quantity of water.
3. If it happens in the other way, by adding water to diluted acid, the amount of heat evolved is not all at once, but gradually. This may cause a splash and could end up in an acid burn.