Properties Uses and Facts about Hydrochloric Acid
What is Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid is a compound having the chemical formula HCL. Its
molecule is made up of one atom of
hydrogen
and one atom of
chlorine. Hydrochloric acid is an important industrial chemical and laboratory
reagent. It is also known as muriatic acid. It is a water-based solution of
hydrogen chloride gas, classified as a strong acid. It is the main component
of gastric acid present in the digestive system of most animals including
humans, which helps in digestion of food.
Properties of Hydrochloric Acid
- Hydrochloric acid is a transparent and colorless liquid, sometimes it is also light yellow in color.
- Hydrochloric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride gas, hydrochloric acid is odorless, but hydrogen chloride gas has a specific and pungent odor.
- The aqueous concentration of hydrochloric acid can vary, with its physical properties such as its melting point, boiling point, and density varying according to the concentration.
- Hydrochloric acid is an extremely corrosive liquid.
- Hydrogen chloride forms dense white corrosive vapors on contact with air.
- Hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric both have the chemical formula HCL, and both are corrosive.
- Hydrogen chloride gas is not flammable.
- The melting point of hydrogen chloride gas is -114. 2 degree Celsius.
- The boiling point of hydrogen chloride gas is -85.05 °C.
- Hydrogen chloride gas is a gas heavier than normal air.
Uses of Hydrochloric Acid
- Hydrochloric acid is a strong and corrosive acid used industrially in the production of steel used in the building and construction industry.
- In the chemical industry, hydrochloric acid is used in the production of organic compounds such as vinyl chloride and dichloromethane, used to make PVC plastic.
- Hydrochloric acid is used to remove rust or iron-oxide layer from iron or steel.
- The corrosive properties of hydrochloric acid help to remove tough stains, so it can be a main ingredient in household cleaners such as toilet cleaner, bathroom tile cleaner, and other porcelain cleaners.
- Hydrochloric acid is also used in aluminum etching and metal cleaning applications.
- Hydrochloric acid is used to normalize the elevated PH level of swimming pools.
- Hydrochloric acid is used in the production of calcium chloride, a type of calcium-chloride salt that is used to remove snow from roads.
- Hydrochloric acid is used in the food industry to process a variety of food products, to enhance flavor, and to prevent spoilage. Apart from this, hydrochloric acid is also used as an acidifier in canned foods.
- Hydrochloric acid is used to normalize elevated pH levels in a variety of manufacturing and treatment processes such as pharmaceuticals, swimming pools, drinking water, beverages, and food.
- Hydrochloric acid is also used to produce a variety of organic compounds such as ascorbic acid and pharmaceutical products.
- Hydrochloric acid is also used in processing leather and in the production of firecrackers.
- Apart from these, hydrochloric acid is also used in the production of many other chemicals.
Facts about Hydrochloric Acid
- The chemical formula of both hydrochloric acid and hydrogen chloride gas is the same, the only difference between them is their physical states, the physical state of hydrogen chloride is gaseous while hydrochloric acid is its aqueous solution.
- Hydrochloric acid is a more powerful acid than sulfuric acid and nitric acid.
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is also found in the stomach of humans and animals and serves as a major factor in helping digestion in humans. However, due to the layer of mucus present inside the stomach, the acid is not able to harm the stomach.
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