Cid was working near the acid vats one day when he noticed some aluminium on the floor that was quite corroded from some of the acid that had spilled on it. Cid then made his way to the top of the vat to inspect some equipment. The plant manager was conducting a tour and happened to be coming by the vats just then. He pointed to the warning signs on the vats that read “caution: corrosive” and went to move on, but as luck would have it, Cid recognized someone in the tour group and leaning over the railing to wave, slipped and plunged into the vat. The crowd gasped and was sure that the Cid would be instantly dissolved by the acid. Another worker rushed over and pulled Cid out. Cid, none the worse except for being rather embarrassed and very soggy, yelled down “I’m OK.” The plant manager remarked that wasn’t part of the tour and asked people to move on. Cid wasn’t wearing any protective clothing or had any special protection from the acid when he fell into the vat.
So why was he unharmed (other than his ego)?
Answer
Cid works at a pickling factory and fell into a vat of acetic acid or vinegar. Vinegar will corrode aluminium and other metals but has little effect on skin.
