Which acid is often referred to as battery acid?

Battery acid is commonly known as sulfuric acid, making this the correct choice. Sulfuric acid is a strong acid that is highly corrosive and is a key component in lead-acid batteries, which are frequently used in vehicles and for energy storage. Its role in these batteries is to facilitate the electrochemical reactions that store and release electrical energy. The sulfuric acid solution in these batteries is usually diluted with water and has a specific gravity that indicates the state of charge of the battery.

In terms of chemistry, sulfuric acid has a formula of H₂SO₄ and is known for its ability to act as a strong dehydrating agent, which emphasizes its corrosive nature. Understanding its properties and uses is essential for students who study chemistry, especially in applications related to energy storage and electrochemistry.

The other acids listed, such as hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid, have different applications and properties. Hydrochloric acid is primarily known for its use in cleaning and etching metals, phosphoric acid is often used in fertilizers and food processing, and nitric acid is used in the production of fertilizers and explosives. None of these have the direct connection to batteries that sulfuric acid has, which reinforces why sulfuric acid