Hydrogen chloride facts for kids
Hydrogen chloride is a gas that you can't see (it's colorless). It can be irritating, so it's important to be careful around it. This gas can mix with water to create a strong acid called hydrochloric acid.
Contents
What is Hydrogen Chloride?
Hydrogen chloride is a chemical compound made of two elements: hydrogen and chlorine. It exists as a gas at room temperature. Because it's a gas, it can spread out easily in the air.
How it Reacts
- Making Hydrochloric Acid: When hydrogen chloride gas dissolves in water, it forms hydrochloric acid. This acid is very strong and is used in many industries.
- Reacting with Ammonia: Hydrogen chloride gas can react with another gas called ammonia. When they meet, they create a white cloud, almost like smoke. This cloud is actually a solid substance called ammonium chloride, which forms tiny particles in the air.
Uses of Hydrogen Chloride
Hydrogen chloride is an important chemical in many industries. One of its main uses is in making different types of plastics. These plastics are then used to create many everyday items, from toys to pipes.
How it Forms Mists
If there is a lot of water vapor in the air, hydrogen chloride gas can absorb this water. When it does, it can form tiny droplets, creating a misty cloud. This is why you might sometimes see a mist around places where hydrogen chloride is being used or produced.
How is Hydrogen Chloride Made?
There are a few ways to make hydrogen chloride:
- From Salt and Acid: One common way is to react sodium chloride (which is common table salt) with sulfuric acid. This chemical reaction produces hydrogen chloride gas.
- From Hydrogen and Chlorine: It can also be made by combining hydrogen gas and chlorine gas. However, this reaction can be very strong and happen very quickly, so it needs to be done carefully.
Related Pages
Images for kids
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Infrared (IR) absorption spectrum
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One doublet in the IR spectrum resulting from the isotopic composition of chlorine
