What is an example of a corrosive substance?

Acids are categorized as corrosive substances because they can cause damage to living tissue and materials upon contact. Corrosive substances are defined by their ability to destroy or severely damage another surface or substance with which they come into contact. When acids come in contact with metals, plastics, or even skin, they can react chemically, leading to degradation, burns, or other forms of damage.

The other options include flammable liquids, which pose a risk of fire or explosion rather than corrosivity; oxidizers, which can enhance the combustion of materials but are not inherently corrosive; and pyrophoric materials, which ignite spontaneously in air but do not characterize corrosion. Thus, acids serve as the straightforward example of a substance that can actively corrode both organic and inorganic materials, justifying their classification as corrosive substances.