acids
n. countablen. a chemical substance that tastes sour and can sometimes burn your skin. You find mild ones in lemons and vinegar, but strong ones are used in science and industry.
n. a chemical substance that neutralises alkalis, dissolves some metals, and turns litmus paper red. Characterised by a pH of less than 7.0 and the ability to donate protons or accept electron pairs.
Lemons contain natural acids that give them a sour taste.
The laboratory technician wore protective gloves to handle the concentrated acids safely during the experiment.
In industrial manufacturing, various mineral acids are employed to remove rust and scale from steel surfaces before the application of protective coatings.
Often used in the plural when referring to different chemical types; uncountable when referring to the abstract chemical property.