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Thread: Acidic or Acid?

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    Acidic or Acid?

    Hey Guys,

    Something I've wondered since I completed GCSE. I have always said that a given chemical was "very acidic", for instance, whereas I often hear people (including, on occasion, my ex-teacher) say it's "very acid".

    Could somebody clarify as to whether acidic is the correct adjective form, whether I am incorrect, or if both forms can be used. I thought for a while this might just be a grammatical quirk which exists in Chemistry, but curiosity has gotten the better of me.

    Thanks in advance for any insight that any Hexus chemists or linguistic-types can give.

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    Big Member BlindMelon7's Avatar
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    I've always wondered about this. I'm afraid I can't be of much use though. Google has failed me .
    With love and many thanks,

    Melons

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    Very acidic is correct in that context, though they are both adjectives. People say very acid because they're lazy.

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    It's definitely "very acidic". I don't think I've even ever heard anyone say it's "very acid".

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    Entangled Lee`'s Avatar
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    From my Adv. Higher Chem I would say very acidic, and would never use very acid.

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    I have a chemistry degree, and have taught A-level chemistry.

    I would definately refer to things as being acidic, or very acidic.
    There are specific terms in chemistry "stong acid" and "weak acid" which don't mean what a non-chemist may think they mean. They refer to the degree of dissociation of the acid in solution: A stong acid completely dissociates in water, a weak one does not.

    As for what acids are dangerous, it is usually based on their concentrations, not their strength. A 0.01M solution of a stong acid may be safe to put your fingers in, while a 2M solution of a weak acid may burn your fingers.
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    As someone who speaks English, I'd also say "very acidic". "Very acid" is just poor grammar.

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    Flower Child stytagm's Avatar
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    As a scientist I'd agree with "Very Acidic", but when people are talking about wine, it's pretty common to use "Acid" as the adjective. Maybe Nick has opinions?
    Quote Originally Posted by My Dad
    I can't drink wine these days, it's too acid

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    I'd agree with Theo. Acidic is to Acid as:
    Basic is to base
    Alkaline is to Alkali
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    Thanks a lot for clearing that up, guys.

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    Senior Member manwithnoname's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Theo View Post
    As someone who speaks English, I'd also say "very acidic". "Very acid" is just poor grammar.
    Acid is an adjective. Little quote from the Oxford English Dictionary: "Beauclerk ... said in his acid manner 'He would cut a throat to fill his pockets, if it were not for fear of being hanged.'" So "Very acid" not poor grammar, I'm from the "very acidic" school, "Very acid" just sounds strange.

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    Quote Originally Posted by manwithnoname View Post
    Acid is an adjective. Little quote from the Oxford English Dictionary: "Beauclerk ... said in his acid manner 'He would cut a throat to fill his pockets, if it were not for fear of being hanged.'" So "Very acid" not poor grammar, I'm from the "very acidic" school, "Very acid" just sounds strange.
    It is poor grammar, because you can only use very with comparitive adjectives, and acid isn't one.

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    Senior Member manwithnoname's Avatar
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    My grammar is bad , but I try. If it does sound right I normally don't use it and "Very acid" sounds strange to me so I would have used it.

    I currently reading about superlative adjectives, I wish I had been taught more grammar at school.

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