Sulfuric Acid
Sulfuric Acid, corrosive, oily, colorless liquid, with a specific gravity of 1.85. It melts at 10.36° C (50.6° F), boils at 340° C (644° F), and is soluble in all proportions in water. When sulfuric acid is mixed with water, considerable heat is released. Unless the mixture is well stirred, the added water may be heated beyond its boiling point and the sudden formation of steam may blow the acid out of its container (see Acids and Bases). The concentrated acid destroys skin and flesh, and can cause blindness if it gets into the eyes. The best treatment is to flush away the acid with large amounts of water. Despite the dangers created by careless handling, sulfuric acid has been commercially important for many years. The early alchemists prepared it in large quantities by heating naturally occurring sulfates to a high temperature and dissolving in water the sulfur trioxide thus formed. About the 15th century a method was developed for obtaining the acid by distilling hydrated ferrous su...