Arizona Esthetics State Board Practice Exam

Which of the following terms is used to describe a basic substance?

1. Neutral

2. Acidic

3. Alkaline

4. Corrosive

The correct answer is: Alkaline

The term used to describe a basic substance is "alkaline." In the context of chemistry, substances are classified based on their pH levels. A basic substance (or alkali) has a pH greater than 7, which means it can accept protons or donate electron pairs in reactions. Alkaline substances are often found in solutions that are capable of neutralizing acids, which is a key characteristic of bases. In contrast, "acidic" refers to substances that have a pH less than 7 and can donate protons, while "neutral" describes a solution with a pH of exactly 7, indicating a balance between acids and bases. The term "corrosive" describes substances that can cause destruction or damage to organic tissue or severe corrosion of materials, typically acids or strong bases, but it is not specifically a term for defining a basic substance. Thus, "alkaline" is the most accurate term when referring to substances that are considered basic.