Arsenic acid facts for kids
Arsenic acid is a chemical compound. It is also an acid. Its chemical formula is H3AsO4. It has hydrogen and arsenate ions in it.
Properties
Arsenic acid is a colorless solid. It absorbs water from the air. It is a strong oxidizing agent. It is similar to phosphoric acid. It can be deprotonated three times, making various arsenates. Arsenic acid reacts with iodide to make iodine.
Preparation
It is made by reacting moist arsenic with ozone or by reacting arsenic trioxide with concentrated nitric acid. It can also be made by dissolving arsenic pentoxide in water.
Uses
Arsenic acid is used in the making of some dyes and organic arsenic compounds. It is also used as a preservative for wood and a biocide (something that kills all living things).
Related pages
Images for kids
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Three bottles of arsenic acid from the Great Exhibition: impure, pure and distilled.
See also
In Spanish: Ácido arsénico para niños
