Water Distribution Grade 1 Certification Practice Exam

What type of chemical is known to be either acidic or basic?

1. Corrosive

2. Flammable

3. Explosive

4. Radioactive

The correct answer is: Corrosive

The correct choice, which is corrosive, refers to substances that can cause damage to living tissue or severe corrosion on materials. Corrosive chemicals can indeed have acidic or basic properties; they often fall on either end of the pH scale. Acids are known for donating protons (H⁺ ions) and can lead to corrosion of metals and tissues, while bases can accept protons and similarly pose risks in terms of causing damage. Understanding the nature of corrosive substances is essential in water distribution, as both acidic and basic chemicals can affect not only the materials of pipelines and treatment facilities but also the quality of water being delivered. For instance, water that is too acidic may corrode metal pipes, leading to leaks and contamination, while excessively basic water can cause scaling and buildup in the system. The other options—flammable, explosive, and radioactive—do not inherently possess acidic or basic properties. Flammable substances are primarily concerns related to their ability to ignite and combust, while explosives are materials that undergo rapid chemical reactions to release gas and energy. Radioactive materials emit radiation due to unstable atomic nuclei, and although they can interact with other chemicals, they do not categorize themselves strictly as either acidic or basic.