What describes acetone?

Acetone is accurately described as a colorless, volatile, and extremely flammable organic solvent. It is commonly used in laboratories and industries as a solvent for various applications, including the thinning of paints and the cleaning of surfaces. Its volatility means that it evaporates quickly at room temperature, which is characteristic of many organic solvents. Additionally, acetone's flammability is a critical safety consideration when handling it; it can easily ignite and should be stored properly away from ignition sources.

The other descriptions do not appropriately align with acetone's properties. For example, acetone is not non-flammable; it is highly flammable, which distinguishes it from the option describing it as a non-flammable solvent. The portrayal of acetone as highly viscous and colored is also inaccurate, as it has a low viscosity and is colorless. Lastly, while it is an industrial solvent, referring to it as oily is misleading since acetone is not oily in texture or appearance. Thus, the choice that accurately reflects acetone's characteristics is the one that identifies it as a colorless, volatile, and extremely flammable organic solvent.