Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

Which of the following is a characteristic of a 50% boric acid solution?

1. Highly soluble

2. Volatile

3. Corrosive

4. Neutral pH

The correct answer is: Corrosive

A 50% boric acid solution is characterized by its corrosive nature. Boric acid, or H3BO3, is known to be mildly corrosive, particularly to certain metals and tissues. This characteristic is important in laboratory settings and requires proper handling to prevent injury or damage. While it is true that boric acid does exhibit some solubility in water, a 50% concentration is actually a saturated solution, meaning that it reaches a limit of solubility at that concentration. It is also not particularly volatile, as it does not easily evaporate at room temperature, and the pH of a boric acid solution is typically acidic, not neutral. Therefore, the defining characteristic in this context is its corrosiveness, which necessitates caution and appropriate safety measures when using or storing such a solution.