Hydrogen Chloride Gas vs Hydrochloric Acid
On the difference between hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid
Hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid, the two seem to be related, but in fact there are many differences.
Hydrogen chloride gas is a pure substance. It is composed of hydrogen chloride molecules and is gaseous. At room temperature and pressure, it is colorless and has a pungent odor. This gas is chemically active and has the same characteristics as acidic gases. In case of ammonia gas, the white smoke of ammonium chloride can be produced. This reaction is very obvious and is often recognized.
Hydrochloric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride and is a mixture. It has the general nature of acid, because hydrogen ions can be ionized in water. The color of hydrochloric acid is colorless when pure, but it is often yellowish due to impurities. Its volatility is stronger than that of hydrogen chloride gas. In the air, the volatilized hydrogen chloride encounters water vapor and forms small droplets of hydrochloric acid, causing the appearance of white mist.
The physical properties of the two are also different. Hydrogen chloride gas has a higher density than air and is very soluble in water. It can dissolve about 500 volumes of hydrogen chloride in one body of water. The density of hydrochloric acid varies with concentration. The higher the concentration, the greater the density.
Chemically, when hydrogen chloride gas is dry, its chemical activity is slightly inferior. Hydrochloric acid, on the other hand, can react with active metals, metal oxides, bases and certain salts due to a large number of hydrogen ions. If it reacts with iron, hydrogen gas reacts with ferrous chloride; if it reacts with copper oxide, the copper oxide is copper chloride and water.
The preparation of hydrogen chloride gas is mostly obtained by co-heating sodium chloride and concentrated sulfuric acid. Hydrochloric acid is often prepared by dissolving hydrogen chloride gas in water.
In summary, although both hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid contain chlorine and hydrogen elements, one is a pure gas and the other is a mixed solution. The physical and chemical properties are different, and the preparation method is also different, which cannot be ignored carefully.
Hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid, the two seem to be related, but in fact there are many differences.
Hydrogen chloride gas is a pure substance. It is composed of hydrogen chloride molecules and is gaseous. At room temperature and pressure, it is colorless and has a pungent odor. This gas is chemically active and has the same characteristics as acidic gases. In case of ammonia gas, the white smoke of ammonium chloride can be produced. This reaction is very obvious and is often recognized.
Hydrochloric acid is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride and is a mixture. It has the general nature of acid, because hydrogen ions can be ionized in water. The color of hydrochloric acid is colorless when pure, but it is often yellowish due to impurities. Its volatility is stronger than that of hydrogen chloride gas. In the air, the volatilized hydrogen chloride encounters water vapor and forms small droplets of hydrochloric acid, causing the appearance of white mist.
The physical properties of the two are also different. Hydrogen chloride gas has a higher density than air and is very soluble in water. It can dissolve about 500 volumes of hydrogen chloride in one body of water. The density of hydrochloric acid varies with concentration. The higher the concentration, the greater the density.
Chemically, when hydrogen chloride gas is dry, its chemical activity is slightly inferior. Hydrochloric acid, on the other hand, can react with active metals, metal oxides, bases and certain salts due to a large number of hydrogen ions. If it reacts with iron, hydrogen gas reacts with ferrous chloride; if it reacts with copper oxide, the copper oxide is copper chloride and water.
The preparation of hydrogen chloride gas is mostly obtained by co-heating sodium chloride and concentrated sulfuric acid. Hydrochloric acid is often prepared by dissolving hydrogen chloride gas in water.
In summary, although both hydrogen chloride gas and hydrochloric acid contain chlorine and hydrogen elements, one is a pure gas and the other is a mixed solution. The physical and chemical properties are different, and the preparation method is also different, which cannot be ignored carefully.

Scan to WhatsApp