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**Molecular formula:** HCl **Molar mass:** 36.46 g/mol **Description:** Hydrogen chloride is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. When dissolved in water, it forms hydrochloric acid, which is strong, volatile and colorless and dissociates or ionizes almost completely in water: HCl + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + Cl⁻ A mixture of concentrated nitric acid and hydrochloric acid is known as aqua regia, or "royal water", and is capable of dissolving noble metals such as gold and platinum. **Applications:** Hydrochloric acid is used in the chemical industry for various processes. It is also used in geological studies to detect limestone in rocks. **Occurrence:** Hydrochloric acid occurs naturally in gastric acid (c = 0,15 mol.L⁻¹ ), where it plays a role in digestion, and can also be found in volcanic gases.
