Hydrochloric acid facts for kids

Hydrochloric acid is a common chemical. It is a liquid made by dissolving hydrogen chloride gas in water. In the past, people called it muriatic acid. This acid is used a lot in factories. Your stomach also makes hydrochloric acid to help digest food! Like all acids, it reacts with bases to make salts called chlorides.

Staying Safe with Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric acid can be dangerous, especially in strong amounts. Both the acid liquid and its mists can harm human tissue. They are corrosive, meaning they can eat away at things. This can cause serious chemical burns. These burns can hurt your eyes, skin, and even your respiratory system (the parts of your body you use to breathe).

It's very important to be careful with hydrochloric acid. If it mixes with certain chemicals, like bleach, it can create a poisonous gas called chlorine.

When people work with hydrochloric acid, they need to take safety steps. They often wear rubber or PVC gloves. They also wear goggles to protect their eyes and special clothing that resists chemicals.

Hydrochloric acid can also react with some metals. It can corrode them, which means it eats them away. This reaction also creates a gas called hydrogen, which can catch fire easily.

The danger of hydrochloric acid depends on how strong it is. Stronger solutions are more corrosive and can cause more serious burns. The Environmental Protection Agency says hydrochloric acid is a toxic substance.

Images for kids

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  This diagram shows how the melting temperature changes with the amount of HCl in water.

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  A safety label showing hydrochloric acid is corrosive.

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  Another safety label showing hydrochloric acid is corrosive.

See also

In Spanish: Ácido clorhídrico para niños