Mineral Acid Definition and List

Including the Acids Most Commonly Used in a Lab Setting

Chemist in lab with liquids in glassware

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by Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
Updated January 06, 2019

A mineral acid or inorganic acid is any acid derived from an inorganic compound that dissociates to produce hydrogen ions (H+) in water. Mineral acids are highly soluble in water but tend to be insoluble in organic solvents. The inorganic acids are corrosive.

Mineral Acids

The mineral acids include the bench acids -- hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid -- so-called because they are the acids most commonly used in a laboratory setting. A list of the mineral acids includes: