> If you do use the formic acid, just remember: > "Do as you oughtta, add acid to water." > and > "Here lies a guy all pale and flaccid. He added water to the acid." > > By adding concentrated acid to water, you ensure that anything that > splashes > up is mostly water. If you add water to concentrated acid, then > splashes > could be mostly acid. Dilute the acid in a well ventilated room (or > outside) and don't breath the fumes. This is one good reason for adding acid to water, but not the only one! Diluting strong acids generates a lot of heat, so adding a small amount of acid to a large amount of water reduces the chances of the mixture being heated to boiling! (Saw a demonstration of adding water to acid once-the solution got so hot so fast it exploded out of the top of the beaker.) Adding a litle water to a big container of strong acid must be done very slowly, very carefully, and behind the glass of an enclosed fume hood (I've had to do it a couple of times)....
When you do your first dilution, use a container that can handle a little heat. Some plastics are ok, but others can't take much heat (like pop bottles, for example). If you notice that the solution only gets a little warm, then your choice of container for your second mixture can take that into account. Monica Jones Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!
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