Acids can have several notable effects on substances. Here are two significant effects:
- Corrosion: Acids can corrode metals and non-metal substances. For example, when hydrochloric acid comes into contact with iron, it reacts with it and can lead to the deterioration of the metal over time. This is often observed in various industrial processes where acids are used.
- Neutralization: Acids react with bases in a neutralization reaction. For instance, when sulfuric acid is mixed with sodium hydroxide, they react to form water and a salt, sodium sulfate. This effect is widely utilized in various applications, including the treatment of acid spills where bases are used to neutralize the acidity.