While diluting an acid, why is it recommended that the acid should be added to water and not water to the acid?

Explanation

Acids particularly the mineral acids like `H_(2)SO_(4),HNO_(3) and HCl` etc., have strong affinity for water. The dilution process is highly exothermic in nature. The heat evolved may crack or break the container and may also convert the acid into fog which is likely to pollute and atmosphere. In order to control the heat evolved, it is advisable to add acid drop by drop to water. In case water is added to acid, then the entire volume of the acid will be in contact with water in the exothermic process. It may not be possible to control to enormous heat evolved.