Question

Identify the specific species responsible for the acidic properties of a solution of hydrochloric acid.

Answer 1

Hydrochloric acid has a chemical formula of HCl. Now when this is mixed with water to form an aqueous solution, HCl dissociates into its component ions:

HCl --> H+ + Cl-

HCl completely dissociates into H+ and Cl- because it is a strong acid. The species that is responsible for this acidic nature is H+ ion.

Answer:

H+

Answer 2

The chemical formula of hydrochloric acid is expressed as, HCl. The dissociation of the compound to its ionic components is shown below,

HCl -->. H+ + Cl-

There are two ions identified: (1) H+ and (2) Cl-. Of these two ions identified, the acidic properties of the compound can be attributed to the presence of H+.