question_answer 27)

    If a few drops of a concentrated acid accidentally spills over the hand of a student, what should be done?             (a) Wash the hand with saline solution              (b) Wash the hand immediately with plenty of water and apply a paste of sodium hydrogen carbonate                 (c) After washing with plenty of water apply solution of sodium hydroxide on the hand                 (d) Neutralise the acid with a strong alkali            

Answer:

  (b) Wash the hand immediately with plenty of water to wash away most of the acid and then apply a paste of baking soda  to neutralize the little acid left. Here a strong base cannot be used to neutralise the acid due to its corrosive nature.