Based on pH values, which of the following solutions is the most corrosive?

Prepare for the CSMLS Safety Test with comprehensive quizzes and detailed explanations. Use multiple choice questions and flashcards to enhance your understanding and ensure exam readiness!

The most corrosive solution among the options is the one with the highest pH value, specifically pH 12. pH is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a solution; the scale ranges from 0 to 14, where lower values indicate higher acidity and higher values indicate greater alkalinity or basicity.

A solution with a pH of 12 is strongly alkaline and can be very corrosive to materials such as metals and organic tissues, making it more dangerous in terms of potential chemical burns and damage. In contrast, solutions with a pH of 4 and 3 are acidic, meaning they have a relatively higher concentration of hydrogen ions and can also be corrosive but not to the same extent as strong bases. A pH of 7 is neutral and therefore does not exhibit corrosive properties.

This understanding of the pH scale and the behavior of acids and bases illustrates why the solution with a pH of 12 is the most corrosive of the choices provided.

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