History Main / HollyWoodAcid

* An even more ridiculous usage of the substance tops off ''Saw VI'', dissolving a man from the inside out in about ten seconds.

In films, on TV, and in comic books, an "acid" is any liquid that can eat away at and completely dissolve skin and muscle, [[StrippedToTheBone leaving only bone]] (and sometimes not even that). Even stronger "acids" will melt steel, glass, plastic, concrete, and ultimately everything it comes in contact with. Such liquids are almost always either a [[TechnicolorScience sickly green or sickly yellow]] color. They bubble and fizz on the counter or floor when you spill them, give off visible, smoky fumes, and they never dissipate (if a drop of acid eats through the floor, it will continue to eat through things on the next level down, and so on, and so forth...)

See also PoisonIsCorrosive and AcidPool for when this is applied to a DeathTrap. A {{subtrope}} of HollywoodScience. Has nothing to do with [[IThoughtItMeant that other kind of acid]] (which one might do well to [[MarijuanaIsLSD distinguish from marijuana]]).

* Two DonaldDuck stories by DonRosa involved a liquid called "The Universal Solvent". It was capable of dissolving pretty much anything -- except diamonds.
** In real life, unless you're an alchemist, the term 'Universal Solvent' usually refers to ''water''...
*** Only because water is the most universal solvent we know. It may take a few centuries, but Water [[KillItWithWater always]] ''[[MakingASplash always]]'' '''[[GiantWallOfWateryDoom always]]''' [[DoctorWho wins in the end]].
**** That's because water is both an acid ''and'' a base in its ionic form.
* {{Batman}} loves this stuff; it's used to kill the villain in his very first story, ''The Case of the Chemical Syndicate'', and is the comic-book source of Harvey Dent's scars as Two-Face.
** Deconstructed in Dr. Scott's [[http://www.politedissent.com/archives/893#comments article]] on an issue where Batman counteracts The Joker's acid by spraying tha target with a strong base. Hello exothermic reaction!

** Which leads to the FridgeLogic of "Why don't they put them in silicon prisons for study?". I mean in Resurrection it's not like they didn't know.
*** Because by ''Resurrection'', the filmmakers just [[TheyJustDidntCare stopped caring about it]].

** Averted in ''{{Cube}} 0'', where a minor character is hosed down with a strong ''base'' and dissolves into a rather disgusting soup.

* The goop that Jack Napier falls into in Tim Burton's ''{{Batman}}'' is puke-green and has the consistency of a milkshake. Its later described as "acid".
** Later in the same film, the Joker's trick flower squirts acid strong enough to eat through thick metal in seconds (when he sprays it on the bolts holding up the church bell).
*** Which [[FridgeLogic begs the question be answered]]: what was the Joker's trick flower ''made of'' to withstand it?
**** Probably [[BoringButPractical teflon]] ([[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene polytetrafluoroethylene]]). It can withstand the aforementioned fluoroantimonic acid, is easily moldable, and fairly cheap.
* The same fate befalls some nameless extras in ''TheMummy'' as well. Rick even identifies the substance as "Salt acid. Pressurized salt acid." ('Salt acid' is the period-authentic name for [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrochloric_acid Hydrochloric acid]].)
** Although, in a subversion, the acid here burns the extras rather than dissolving their skin.

** Could be considered a partial [[AvertedTrope aversion]], given that [[AluminiumChristmasTrees stomach acid isn't what dissolves food particles]]; it's the '''enzymes''' in the stomach fluids that do that. Stomachs require acid because these enzymes need to be a '''very''' specific shape in order to work, and they only have this shape in a mildly acid environment (human stomachs are roughly as acidic as typical malt vinegar!)Enzymes are also specific to specific materials. Human flesh is mostly fat (the lipids in skin) and protein (which make the muscles and meat), which would require a lipase (for the fat) and a protease (for the muscle)to dissolve. A fly's "vomit" is actually more closely comparable to human saliva, being essentially an amylase... which would not have any effect on the proteins and lipids making up Stathis' arm. So either way, it's a case of AcceptableBreaksFromReality. This Troper spent a good hour debating the scene with his biology tutor for A-level many, many years ago...

** [[YouFailBiologyForever The stomach is specially lined to protect against being eaten away by acid.]] When that happens, you get an ulcer. The real fail here is that soap, especially newly made soap that is still forming, is ''basic.'' Stomach acid wouldn't survive the saponification process.

** Crocodile could do it as well with his [[HookHand poison hook]]. It was explicitly stated that he used scorpion venom, so apparently Alabasta must have some pretty mean scorpions in its fauna.

[[AC:Real Life]]
* Now that people have started to catch on to "[[ExpospeakGag dihydrogen monoxide]]," some pranksters have gone over to "hydroxic acid" (i.e., a hydroxyl group, HO, and enough hydrogen atoms to neutralize the charge: one), the correctness of which depends on which definition of "acid" one uses.

* Reptile from ''MortalKombat''. His fatality in ''Ultimate [=MK3=]'' has him vomit a gallon of "acid" on his opponent, melting their flesh clear off their skeleton.
** He also has acid fatalities in ''Mortal Kombat 4'' and ''Deadly Alliance''.

** The weapon class is Corrosive elemental tech. Corrosive explicitly refers to substances that have effects like HollywoodAcid. They are, however, described as using acid to do the damage, so the trope still fits.
** So did the classic ''ResidentEvil'' games, which sported "Acid Rounds" for the grenade launcher weapons. They were typically useless against the run-of-the-mill zombies, but ''very'' effective against the skinless Lickers.

* In ''{{Metroid}}'', Brinstar is full of some kind of acid that depletes your energy by roughly twenty points per second of contact. Considering the sort of damage the power suit can endure, that makes it about as strong as 10-12M [=HCl=].
** The acid is also ''boiling'', looking at its animation, which means that, if it ''is'' [=HCl=], [[FridgeLogic the air in Brinstar must be largely chlorine gas.]]
*** Granted, it is explicitly stated no human can survive there, and that the creatures of Zebes are some of the hardiest in the galaxy.

** Which falls under YouFailNuclearPhysicsForever, since Kryptonite is described as radioactive, even if the acid completely dissolved it the radioactive kryptonite atoms would still be present and ''more'' harmful. Small enough to be absorbed through the skin or breathed in? And covered in "acid"? No thank you.
*** Judging by the visuals, it was probably more of a dissolution effect, which somehow weakened the radiation (the mess stopped glowing for one thing). It may just be the way Kryptonite reacts to hydrochloric acid.
*** Remember kids, when talking about magical green glowing rocks formed from the explosion of a distant planet that have the ability to remove god-like powers from a man just by proximity... [[MST3KMantra you should really just leave science out of it.]]

In RealLife, there are several definitions of an acid. An acid can be a substance that makes more hydrogen/hydronium ions in water (pKa < 7, therefore lowering the pH of pure water (7) when added to the solution). A slightly more advanced and broader definition is a substance that donates a proton in a reaction. For those of you who don't [[HollywoodScience learn your chemistry from movies]], the last definition is a substance acts as an electron acceptor. A substance can act as an acid in one situation and as a base in another. For example, you can die if your blood pH wavers more than a tiny bit away from 7.3. To prevent this, your body uses carbon dioxide in water to make what's called a buffer. When you become too acidic, it mops up the hydrogen ions, and when you become basic, it releases more hydrogen ions. No buffer system and a tiny shock to your blood pH could send you into [[ExpoSpeakGag complete thermodynamic equilibrium with the surroundings, thus preventing further non-spontaneous reactions powered by oxidation of various organic chemical compounds of biological origin, in a condition known as acute acidosis or alkalosis ]]

You encounter acids every day; vinegar is an acid, and citrus juice gets its sharp taste from its acidic nature. Your stomach contains hydrochloric acid to help break down your food. The water you drink was probably treated with phosphoric and sulfuric acid before it was piped to your house. Acids are a normal, natural part of everyday life.

None of this is true in Hollywood.

While something with an extreme enough pH number can, in fact, eat through some of the things it is portrayed as eating through given enough time (many acids ''can'' dissolve metal), the problem is that ''bases'' (high pH) corrode flesh while ''acids'' (low pH) burn flesh rather than dissolving it (unless they are ''very'' strong). And in RealLife, there is much more to the story than the strength of an acid. Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid (pKa=–7.0), yet HCl solutions are commonly used in high school, and if you spill a bit on your hand, it stings, you just rinse it off for a while. On the other hand, hydrofluoric acid is a weak acid (pKa=3.15), but it will eat right through your glass test tube. And if you get any on your hand, it might not sting because of damage to your nerves, but you better get to a [[LifeOrLimbdecision hospital immediately]].

Another thing blatantly ignored in most fiction is that acid ''fumes'' are dangerous on their own as well. Hydrochloric acid fumes, for example, corrode just as bad as liquid acid and when it's spilled on something vulnerable, it produces chlorine gas which is highly toxic in itself and when it comes into contact with water (like in the inside of human respiratory systems) it goes back to being acid. [[WhatAnIdiot So of course, 90% of the time the main character investigates the corrosion holes by hovering his head inches above it.]] (See also ConvectionSchmonvection for a similar issue with lava).

The strongest acid in the world is a mixture of antimony pentafluoride and hydrogen fluoride (known as [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoroantimonic_acid fluoroantimonic acid]]), and is strong enough to protonate just about anything you throw into the reaction mixture. Even stuff that theoretically doesn't react with acid. According to The Other Wiki, it is [[BeyondTheImpossible 20 quintillion times stronger]] than pure sulfuric acid.

RealityIsUnrealistic, because while acid will eventually dissolve flesh and metals and floors, it will not do so instantly. Also, almost all acid solutions are dangerous not for dissolving flesh but for burning flesh and damaging lungs if breathed in.

Many people believe this trope is true, to the point that anything with a [=pH=] of 6.999... or lower is instant death, while anything with a [=pH=] of 7 or greater is perfectly safe. Some people like this have been known to attempt to ''[[WhatAnIdiot drink lye]]'' to prove their point.

While something with an extreme enough pH number can, in fact, eat through some of the things it is portrayed as eating through given enough time (many acids ''can'' dissolve metal), the problem is that ''bases'' (high pH) corrode flesh while ''acids'' (low pH) burn flesh rather than dissolving it (unless they are ''very'' strong).

See also PoisonIsCorrosive. A {{subtrope}} of HollywoodScience. Has nothing to do with [[IThoughtItMeant that other kind of acid]] (which one might do well to [[MarijuanaIsLSD distinguish from marijuana]]).

In RealLife, there are several definitions of an acid. An acid can be a substance that makes more hydrogen/hydronium ions in water (pKa < 7, therefore lowering the pH of pure water (7) when added to the solution). A slightly more advanced and broader definition is a substance that donates a proton in a reaction. For those of you who don't [[HollywoodScience learn your chemistry from movies]], the last definition is a substance acts as an electron acceptor. A substance can act as an acid in one situation and as a base in another. For example, you can die if your blood pH wavers more than a tiny bit away from 7.3. To prevent this, your body uses carbon dioxide in water to make what's called a buffer. When you become too acidic, it mops up the hydrogen ions, and when you become basic, it releases more hydrogen ions. No buffer system and a tiny shock to your blood pH could send you into [[ExpoSpeakGag complete thermodynamic equilibrium with the surroundings, thus preventing further non-spontaneous reactions powered by oxidation of various organic chemical compounds of biological origin.]]

* The same fate befalls some nameless extras in ''TheMummy'' as well. Rick even identifies the substance as "Salt acid. Pressurized salt acid."

** By definition a salt is the result of an acid-base ''neutralization'', so 'Salt acid' is nonsensical too.
*** Not really. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrochloric_acid Hydrochloric acid]] aka salt acid.
*** Some salts actually are acidic or basic, (soaps, for instance. The reason for this is a bit much to explain here), although these are usually quite weak, so this version still wouldn't work the way described above.

In RealLife, there are several definitions of an acid. An acid can be a substance that makes more hydrogen/hydronium ions in water (pKa < 7, therefore lowering the pH of pure water (7) when added to the solution). A slightly more advanced and broader definition is a substance that donates a proton in a reaction. For those of you who don't [[HollywoodScience learn your chemistry from movies]], the last definition is a substance acts as an electron acceptor. A substance can act as an acid in one situation and as a base in another. For example, you can die if your blood pH wavers more than a tiny bit away from 7.3. To prevent this, your body uses carbon dioxide in water to make what's called a buffer. When you become too acidic, it mops up the hydrogen ions, and when you become basic, it releases more hydrogen ions. No buffer system and a tiny shock to your blood pH could send you into [[ExpoSpeak complete thermodynamic equilibrium with the surroundings, thus preventing further non-spontaneous reactions powered by oxidation of various organic chemical compounds of biological origin.]]

In RealLife, there are several definitions of an acid. An acid can be a substance that makes more hydrogen/hydronium ions in water (pKa < 7, therefore lowering the pH of pure water (7) when added to the solution). A slightly more advanced and broader definition is a substance that donates a proton in a reaction. For those of you who don't [[Hollywood Science learn your chemistry from movies]], the last definition is a substance acts as an electron acceptor. A substance can act as an acid in one situation and as a base in another. For example, you can die if your blood pH wavers more than a tiny bit away from 7.3. To prevent this, your body uses carbon dioxide in water to make what's called a buffer. When you become too acidic, it mops up the hydrogen ions, and when you become basic, it releases more hydrogen ions. No buffer system and a tiny shock to your blood pH could send you into [[ExpoSpeak complete thermodynamic equilibrium with the surroundings, thus preventing further non-spontaneous reactions powered by oxidation of various organic chemical compounds of biological origin.]]

In RealLife, there are several definitions of an acid. An acid can be a substance that makes more hydrogen/hydronium ions in water (pKa < 7, therefore lowering the pH of pure water (7) when added to the solution). A slightly more advanced and broader definition is a substance that donates a proton in a reaction. For those of you who don't [[YouFailChemistryForever learn your chemistry from Hollywood]], the last definition is a substance acts as an electron acceptor. A substance can act as an acid in one situation and as a base in another. For example, you can die if your blood pH wavers more than a tiny bit away from 7.3. To prevent this, your body uses carbon dioxide in water to make what's called a buffer. When you become too acidic, it mops up the hydrogen ions, and when you become basic, it releases more hydrogen ions. No buffer system and a tiny shock to your blood pH could send you into [[ExpoSpeak complete thermodynamic equilibrium with the surroundings, thus preventing further non-spontaneous reactions powered by oxidation of various organic chemical compounds of biological origin.]]

In RealLife, an acid is any substance with a [=pH=] under 7. You encounter acids every day; vinegar is an acid, and citrus juice gets its sharp taste from its acidic nature. Your stomach contains hydrochloric acid to help break down your food. The water you drink was probably treated with phosphoric and sulfuric acid before it was piped to your house. Acids are a normal, natural part of everyday life.

* ''{{Borderlands}}'' features "caustic" weapons that fire "[[WallBanger acid]]"--"'''''[[DanBrowned ACID]]'''''"--filled rounds that "[[YouFailChemistryForever dissolve armor and flesh]]".[[hottip:*:"Caustic" usually refers to corrosive ''bases'', not acids.]]

While something with an extreme enough pH number can, in fact, eat through some of the things it is portrayed as eating through given enough time (many acids ''can'' dissolve metal), the problem is that ''bases'' (high pH) corrode flesh while ''acids'' (low pH) burn flesh rather than dissolving it (unless they are ''very'' strong). Which means that most "acids" are an impossible mixture of, say, [=KOH=] and [=HCl=]. [[hottip:*:The two would quickly react, producing water and potassium chloride, a perfectly harmless substance used as a sodium-free substitute for table salt. [[MadeOfExplodium And a lot of heat.]]]]

* In ''{{Jimmy Two-Shoes}}'', Jimmy's "[[CallASmreepARabbit dog]]" Cerbee actually has acid as waste, which dissolves anything he relieves himself on.

* In [[ChildsPlay Seed of Chucky]], John Waters' character dies when Glen accidentally scares him, causing him to back up into a shelf in his red room, sending photo developing chemicals crashing down on him and melting his face.