Acid vs. Caustic — What's the Difference?

A chemical substance that donates protons or hydrogen ions and/or accepts electrons.

A chemical substance that burns or destroys organic tissue.

A molecule or other entity that can donate a proton or accept an electron pair in reactions.

A material that turns red litmus paper blue.

A sour-tasting material that dissolves metals and carbonates.

A substance with a pH greater than 7.

A substance with a pH less than 7.

A substance that can neutralize acids, forming water and a salt.

An acid is a molecule or ion capable of either donating a proton (i.e., hydrogen ion, H+), known as a Brønsted–Lowry acid, or, capable of forming a covalent bond with an electron pair, known as a Lewis acid.The first category of acids are the proton donors, or Brønsted–Lowry acids. In the special case of aqueous solutions, proton donors form the hydronium ion H3O+ and are known as Arrhenius acids.

Capable of burning, corroding, dissolving, or eating away by chemical action.

A substance with particular chemical properties including turning litmus red, neutralizing alkalis, and dissolving some metals; typically, a corrosive or sour-tasting liquid of this kind.

Sarcastic or cutting; biting

A molecule or other species which can donate a proton or accept an electron pair in reactions.

Given to making caustic remarks

The drug LSD

A caustic material or substance.

Containing acid or having the properties of an acid; having a pH of less than 7.

A hydroxide of a light metal.

Sharp-tasting or sour

The enveloping pattern formed by light rays reflecting or refracting from a curved surface.

(of rock, especially lava) containing a relatively high proportion of silica

Capable of burning, corroding or destroying organic tissue.

Any of a class of substances whose aqueous solutions are characterized by a sour taste, the ability to turn blue litmus red, and the ability to react with bases and certain metals to form salts.

(of language, etc.) Sharp, bitter, cutting, biting, and sarcastic in a scathing way.

A substance that yields hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.

Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an escharotic.

A substance that can act as a proton donor.

The envelope of reflected or refracted rays of light for a given surface or object.

A substance that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond.

(mathematics) The envelope of reflected or refracted rays for a given curve.

A substance having a sour taste.

Caustic soda.

The quality of being sarcastic, bitter, or scornful

Capable of destroying the texture of anything or eating away its substance by chemical action; burning; corrosive; searing.

(Slang) See LSD1.

Severe; satirical; sharp; as, a caustic remark.

Of, relating to, or containing an acid.

Any substance or means which, applied to animal or other organic tissue, burns, corrodes, or destroys it by chemical action; an escharotic.

Having a high concentration of acid.

A caustic curve or caustic surface.

Having the characteristics of an acid.

Any chemical substance that burns or destroys living tissue

Having a pH of less than 7.

Harsh or corrosive in tone;

Having a relatively high concentration of hydrogen ions.

Of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action

(Geology) Containing a large proportion of silica

A strong base that is soluble in water, typically with a bitter taste.

Having a sour taste.

Biting, sarcastic, or scornful

Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar.

(figuratively) Sour-tempered.

Of or pertaining to an acid; acidic.

(music) Denoting a musical genre that is a distortion (as if hallucinogenic) of an existing genre, as in acid house, acid jazz, acid rock.

A sour substance.

(chemistry)

Any compound which yields H+ ions (protons) when dissolved in water; an Arrhenius acid.

Any compound that easily donates protons to a base; a Brønsted acid.

Any compound that can accept a pair of electrons to form a covalent bond; a Lewis acid.

Any corrosive substance.

LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide.

Sour, sharp, or biting to the taste; tart; having the taste of vinegar: as, acid fruits or liquors. Also fig.: Sour-tempered.

Of or pertaining to an acid; as, acid reaction.

A sour substance.

One of a class of compounds, generally but not always distinguished by their sour taste, solubility in water, and reddening of vegetable blue or violet colors. They are also characterized by the power of destroying the distinctive properties of alkalies or bases, combining with them to form salts, at the same time losing their own peculiar properties. They all contain hydrogen, united with a more negative element or radical, either alone, or more generally with oxygen, and take their names from this negative element or radical. Those which contain no oxygen are sometimes called hydracids in distinction from the others which are called oxygen acids or oxacids.

Any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt

Street name for lysergic acid diethylamide

Harsh or corrosive in tone;

Containing acid;

A substance that turns blue litmus paper red.

An acid is a substance that releases hydrogen ions in solution and typically has a sour taste.

A caustic substance, also known as a base, releases hydroxide ions in solution and usually has a bitter taste.

Vinegar, containing acetic acid, is a common household acid.

Not all acids are dangerous; some, like citric acid in fruits, are harmless, but strong acids can be hazardous.

Wear protective gear, such as gloves and goggles, and work in a well-ventilated area.

Yes, some acids like citric acid and acetic acid are used in cooking for flavor and preservation.

Yes, caustic substances like sodium hydroxide are found in products like drain cleaners and soap.

Many acids are corrosive and can cause chemical burns, but their strength varies.

Acids have a pH below 7, while caustics have a pH above 7.

Strong caustic substances can cause chemical burns and skin irritation.

Caustic substances are used in soap making, cleaning agents, and pH adjustment.

Yes, when mixed in the right proportions, acids and caustics can neutralize each other, forming water and salt.

Caustic substances often have a bitter taste.

Yes, some cleaning products contain acids to remove stains and build-up.

Yes, many fruits and vegetables contain natural acids like citric acid and malic acid.