Which term describes a substance that may explode, ignite, or burn and may give off poisonous fumes or cause serious burns?

• A. Corrosion
• B. Ionic charge
• C. Group
• D. Reactive substance

Answer: (D)

A substance described as potentially exploding, igniting, or burning and that may give off poisonous fumes or cause serious burns is showing dangerous chemical reactivity. In chemistry, a reactive substance is one that readily undergoes chemical changes under the right conditions, which can include contact with air, water, heat, or other chemicals. These kinds of responses can be violent or release harmful byproducts, explaining why this term fits the description.

Corrosion is about gradual deterioration of materials through chemical reactions—often slow and not necessarily hazardous in the immediate sense. Ionic charge refers to the electrical charge on ions, not how reactive the material is. Group is a way to classify elements in the periodic table, not a description of a substance’s reactivity.