Uses of Hydrochloric Acid: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Hydrochloric acid is a water and hydrogen chloride solution and mixed with other chemicals like chloride and hydronium ions. It is an important industrial chemical and is used in various ways, such as for the production of polyvinyl chloride used in plastic. It is also known as acidum salis and spirits of salts because it was derived from rock salt and later with similar common salt and sulphuric salt. It occurs naturally of the gastric acid created in most animal species and humans’ stomach-related systems.

1. It is an important industrial chemical and used in the production of plastics due to the presence of polyvinyl chloride
2. It is regularly used to find out the pH scale with the help of alkaline sodium hydroxide and water. The students in the chemistry class widely use it to determine the different pH levels.
3. Hydrochloric acid is very strong in nature and is used to remove the metal stains and clean the tiles and other stone-hard dirty surfaces.
4. It is also used to produce organic and inorganic compounds like polyvinyl chloride (PVC), poly aluminum chloride (PAC), ferric acids, iron chloride, aluminum carbohydrate, etc.
5. It is used in oil production; hydrochloric acid is inoculated in the rock, and then it reacts with the rock to form large pores which significantly helps in the oil production.
6. Hydrochloric acid is also used to determine the purity of table salts by regulating table salt’s pH level or acidity. It is used in controlling the pH level of medicines, water, and foods.

Hydrochloric acid is also used in our daily life, and such examples are as follows:

1. Manufacturing plastics
2. Filtration of sugar cane
3. Creating glue and gelatin
4. Manufacturing of corn sugar and glucose
5. Production of synthetic rubbers
6. Dissolution of metals like gold and platinum

This chapter is one of the most primary concepts to understand and grasp, which contains a weightage of 3-4 marks. This contains one small objective type question and three small one-mark questions accounting for the overall marks mentioned above.

1. Explain why Hydrochloric Acid is identified as a gas solution.

Answer: Hydrochloric acid in all its essence is made from two components – Hydrogen and chloride mixtures. When combined in the presence of atmospheric temperature and some pressure change its state to gas.

2. What’s the purpose of HCL being present in a human body?

Answer: HCL, Hydrochloric acid is produced in everyone’s stomach naturally by the enzymes to help digest food better and quicker.

3. How do vinegar and salt make hydrochloric acid?

Answer: When vinegar and salt are mixed in a beaker, hydrochloric acid forms and the copper compound are dissolved. It is often used to clean pennies or coins.

Image Source: NCERT

Q: What is the boiling point of the hydrochloric acid?

Q: Is hydrochloric acid a weak acid?

Q: Is hydrochloric acid stronger than nitric acid?

Q: What is the pH level of hydrochloric acid?

Q: What are the safety measures or precautions of hydrochloric acid?