Causticity: meaning, definitions and examples
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causticity
[ kɔːˈstɪsɪti ]
chemical properties
Causticity refers to the property of a substance that makes it capable of causing injury to living tissue, typically by burning or corrosive action. This characteristic is most often associated with strong acids or bases, which can lead to severe damage upon contact. The caustic nature of these substances necessitates careful handling and precautions when working with them in a laboratory or industrial setting. Due to their ability to corrode, caustic materials are often used in chemical manufacturing and cleaning agents.
Synonyms
burning quality, caustic nature, corrosiveness.
Examples of usage
- The causticity of the acid required immediate safety precautions.
- Workers wore gloves to protect themselves from the causticity of the chemicals.
- The causticity of the solution caused damage to the equipment.
- Warnings about the causticity of the product were clearly labeled.
Translations
Translations of the word "causticity" in other languages:
🇵🇹 causticidade
🇮🇳 क्षयता
🇩🇪 Kaustizität
🇮🇩 kaustisitas
🇺🇦 каустичність
🇵🇱 kaustyczność
🇯🇵 腐食性
🇫🇷 causticité
🇪🇸 causticidad
🇹🇷 kaustisite
🇰🇷 부식성
🇸🇦 القدرة على التآكل
🇨🇿 kaustičnost
🇸🇰 kaustičnosť
🇨🇳 腐蚀性
🇸🇮 kaustičnost
🇮🇸 sýrustig
🇰🇿 каустикалық
🇬🇪 კაუზტიურობა
🇦🇿 kaustikliyik
🇲🇽 causticidad
Etymology
The term 'causticity' originates from the Greek word 'kaustikos', meaning 'burning', which relates to the Latin 'causticus'. The evolution of the term reflects the scientific understanding of substances that can damage organic tissues through chemical reactions. The concept became more widely recognized during the development of modern chemistry, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, as researchers explored the properties of acids and bases. The industrial revolution further emphasized the need for safety measures in handling such caustic substances, leading to improved terminologies and definitions in the field of chemistry. As chemical processing advanced, the implications of causticity have become critical in manufacturing, safety protocols, and environmental considerations.