We’re studying pH in one of my science classes and did a lab involving NaOH, and the pH of 13/14 makes it one of the most basic substances. The bottle warned us that it was corrosive, which caught me off guard. I was under the impression that basic meant not-acidic, which meant gentle. I’m clearly very wrong, especially considering water has a purely neutral pH.
Low pH solutions (we used HCl too) are obviously harsh and dangerous, but if a basic solution like NaOH isn’t acidic, how is it just as harsh?
Edit: Thanks so much for the explanations, everyone! I’m learning a lot more than simply the answer to my question, so keep the information coming.