/sci/ - Science & Math

>>5797762
>Dilute NaOH is still caustic because it's a strong base.
Being a "strong base" has nothing to do with how caustic a substance is, it merely describes how the chemical dissociates in solution.

In general, a dilute solution of NaOH is no better or worse than any other basic solution of equal pH, no matter what chemical was used to produce the solution. The corrosive action of the solution will depend on the pH of the solution (and, in a few rare edge cases, possibly on the special chemistry of the other ion, like hydrofluoric acid and aqua regia), and if the solution is dilute and the pH is within an acceptable range, it doesn't matter if sodium hydroxide was used to prep it.

Now, obviously, the teacher in this case was a dumbass and his "dilute" solution wasn't dilute enough, but that doesn't mean you can't safely be exposed to a properly dilute solution and be fine.