Q1. A truck transporting concentrated acetic acid was involved in a non-injury accident resulting in the release of 300 gallons of acid. Part of the mitigation is to neutralize the spilled acid with a solid material such as air-slaked lime. Air-slaked lime is a commercially available product that consists of calcium hydroxide and calcium carbonate. Quicklime is the common name for calcium hydroxide. When quicklime is exposed to moist air, it absorbs atmospheric CO2 and forms calcium carbonate.

1 Show the chemical formula of air-slaked lime. Explain the chemical interaction involved with the use of air-slaked lime to neutralize the acid. Is this an effective neutralization method for this release?

2 Explain why OSHA requires employers to limit employee exposure to acetic acid vapors.

Q2. The element titanium occurs on earth as titanium (IV) oxide and is found mostly in the mineral called rutile. Rutile is abundant in beach sands in Australia and South Africa. For titanium to be useful, rutile has to be processed to obtain the basic metal form of titanium. Although the process is costly, titanium is gaining popularity as a material for various equipment due to its strength and light weight. One such application is in sports equipment.

3 Explain the chemical process of manufacturing the metal form of titanium.

4 Explain why titanium is a good choice of material for golf clubs. When not in use, discuss at least one precaution to observe when storing clubs?

5 During the fabrication of golf clubs, finely divided titanium is generated, which poses a dangerous risk of fire and explosion. Explain the chemical process involved.