Question Bank

Hydrogen Chloride Gas and Hydrochloric acid

1. Why is the gastric juice of mammals acidic? [1]
Ans. The gastric juice of mammals contains hydrochloric acid and hence
is acidic in nature. It helps to kill bacteria consumed with food.
2. Why HCl is considered polar covalent compound? [1]
Ans. HCl is polar covalent compound due to the difference in
electronegativities of H and Cl. Thus, on dissolving in water it
dissociates into H3O+ and Cl ions.
3. Give an equation for preparation of HCl gas by synthesis. State two
conditions involved in its synthesis. [2 + 1]
Ans. H2 + Cl2 Diffused
light
2HCl
Conditions :
(i) The synthesis should be carried in diffused sunlight as the
reaction is highly explosive in direct sunlight.
(ii) The gases should be slighty moist as moisture acts as catalyst.
4. In the laboratory preparation of HCl gas from sodium chloride, state,
why the following are preferred.
(i) Conc. H2SO4 as reactant
(ii) Temp. of reaction mixture below 200.
(iii) Conc. H2SO4 as drying agent. [3]
Ans. (i) Conc. sulphuric acid is a powerful oxidising agent and is least
volatile. Thus, when reaction mixture is heated, only HCl gas
passes over and not the vapours of sulphuric acid.
(ii) If the temperature rises above 200C
(a) Sodium bisulphate reacts with common salt to form sodium
sulphate. The sodium sulphate so formed fuses in glass
apparatus and renders it useless.
NaHSO4 + NaCl Diffused
light
Na2SO4 + HCl

Chemistry Class-X 1 Question Bank

 (b) The apparatus may break.
(iii) The concentrated sulphuric acid absorbs moisture from HCl gas
without chemically reacting with the gas and hence is a good
drying agent.
5. Why are conventional drying agent such as calcium oxide and
phosphorus pentoxide not used for drying moist HCl gas? Give
equations. [3]
Ans. The drying agents react chemically with HCl and hence cannot be
used as shown by the equations below :
CaO + 2HCl CaCl2 + H2O
2P2O5 + 3HCl POCl3 + 3HPO3
Phosphorus (meta phosphoric acid)
oxy-chloride
6. Compare the density of HCl gas with air. [1]
Ans. HCl gas is heavier than air as its density is 18.25, whereas that of the
air is 14.4.
7. Compare the solubility of HCl gas with water. [1]
Ans. HCl gas is highly soluble in water. One volume of water at room
temperature can dissolve 452 volumes of HCl gas.
8. State, why HCl gas fumes in moist air. [1]
Ans. The HCl gas being highly soluble in water, dissolves in the water
vapour present in air to form fine droplets of liquid hydrochloric
acid, which appear like fumes.
9. What does fountain experiment explain about the nature of HCl gas. [1]
Ans. It shows that HCl gas is highly soluble in water.
10. State the colour changes in three different indicators in the presence
of HCl gas.
Ans. (i) Moist blue litmus paper (or blue litmus solution) changes to red
colour.
(ii) Methyl orange solution changes to pink colour.
(iii) Phenolphthalein solution becomes colourless.

Chemistry Class-X 2 Question Bank

11. Give a balanced equation for the thermal dissociation of a solid
containing chloride ion.
Ans. NH4Cl heat
NH3 + HCl
12. State your observation when a rod dipped in ammonium hydroxide
solution is taken in the jar of HCl. Support your answer by a
chemical equation. [2]
Ans. Dense white fumes are formed around the glass rod. It is because the
ammonia vapours on coming in contact with HCl gas form solid
ammonium chloride particles, which get suspended in the gas and
appear like dense white fumes.
NH3 (g) + HCl (g) NH4Cl (s)
13. How will you convert iron to iron (II) chloride? Support your
answer by a chemical equation. [2]
Ans. Take about 100 ml of dil. HCl in a beaker and to it add excess of
iron filings. Stir the mixture till the reaction stops.
Fe + 2HCl (dil.) FeCl2 + H2
Filter the reaction mixture. The clear light green filtrate is of iron
(II) chloride.
14. Explain the term constant boiling mixture. [2]
Ans. A mixture of a chemical in water (say HCl in water) in certain
proportion, such that on boiling the chemical and water are expelled
out in the form of vapours in same proportion is called constant
boiling mixture. Such a mixture cannot be concentrated by boiling.
15. State why cannot be dilute hydrochloric acid concentrated beyond
certain concentration on boiling. [2]
Ans. When the concentration of HCl gas in water is 22.2% by weight, it
forms a constant boiling mixture. At this concentration, if dilute
hydrochloric acid is heated then water and HCl vaporise in the same
proportion by weight and hence dilute hydrochloric acid cannot be
concentrated.

Chemistry Class-X 3 Question Bank

16. Write an ionic equation when HCl gas dissolves in water. [1]
+
ZZX H3O + Cl
Ans. HCl + H2O YZZ
17. Name an ion responsible for acidic nature of HCl acid. [1]
+ +
Ans. H3O ion or [H (aq) ion] is responsible for acidic nature of HCl
acid.
18. State which of the two a solution of HCl in water and a solution
of HCl in toluene is an electrolyte. Give reasons for your answer. [2]
Ans. Solution of HCl in water is an electrolyte. It is because HCl being
polar covalant compound ionises in polar covalent water to form
H3O+ ions and Cl ions, which make it conducting and hence an
electrolyte.
Solution of HCl in toluene is non-electrolyte. It is because HCl, a
polar covalent compound does not ionise in toluene which is a
covalent compound. As no ions are formed, therefore, solution is
non-electrolyte.
19. How will you obtain following from dil HCl acid? Give equations.
(a) Hydrogen (b) carbon dioxide
(c) sulphur dioxide (d) hydrogen sulphide [8]
Ans. (a) When zinc metal is treated with dilute HCl, it liberates hydrogen
gas,
Zn + 2HCl (dil.) ZnCl2 + H2
(b) When sodium carbonate is treated with dilute HCl, it liberates
carbon dioxide gas.
Na2CO3 + 2HCl (dil.) 2NaCl + CO2 + H2O
(c) When sodium sulphite is treated with dilute HCl, it liberates
sulphur dioxide gas.
Na2SO3 + 2HCl (dil.) 2NaCl + SO2 + H2O
(d) When iron (II) sulphide is treated with dilute HCl it liberates
hydrogen sulphide gas.
FeS + 2HCl (dil.) FeCl2 + H2S

Chemistry Class-X 4 Question Bank

20. Name two soluble nitrates which can be converted into insoluble
chlorides by the use of dilute HCl. Support your answer by chemical
equations.
Ans. (i) Silver nitrate solution on treating with dilute HCl, forms
insoluble silver chloride
AgNO3 (sol) + HCl HNO3 + AgCl (s)
(ii) Lead nitrate solution on treating with dilute HCl forms insoluble
lead chloride
Pb(NO)3 (sol) + 2HCl 2HNO3 + PbCl2 (s)
21. How does silver nitrate solution react with sodium chloride solution.
State your observations when above mixture is treated with excess
of ammonium hydroxide. Support your answer by chemical
equations. [4]
Ans. When sodium chloride solution is treated with silver nitrate solution
it forms a curdy white ppt. of silver chloride.
NaCl (sol) + AgNO3 (sol) NaNO3 (sol) + AgCl (s)
When excess of ammonium hydroxide is added to the above
reaction mixture, the silver chloride ppt. dissolves to form a clear
solution of diamine silver chloride.
AgCl + 2NH4OH Ag(NH3)2Cl + 2H2O
22. The statements given below pertain to HCl gas or HCl acid.
Complete the statements with appropriate words. [1 mark of each blank space]
(i) Hydrogen chloride gas is not dried by using __________
[conc H2SO4/P2O5].
(ii) Addition of __________ [sodium nitrate/zinc nitrate/silver
nitrate] to hydrochloric acid, gives an insoluble ppt. of the
respective chloride. This ppt. is __________ [soluble/insoluble]
in ammonium hydroxide and __________ [soluble/insoluble] in
dilute nitric acid.
(iii) Hydrogen chloride gas on heating above 500C gives hydrogen
and chlorine gas. This reaction is an example of __________
[thermal decomposition/thermal dissociation].

Chemistry Class-X 5 Question Bank

 (iv) Addition of __________ [iron (III) sulphide/iron (II)
sulphide/iron pyrities] to dilute hydrochloric acid results in the
liberation of hydrogen sulphide gas.
(v) Iron reacts with hydrogen chloride gas forming __________
[iron (II) chloride/iron (III) chloride] and hydrogen gas. The
reaction is an example of __________ [double
decomposition/synthesis/simple displacement].
(vi) Hydrochloric acid can be converted into chlorine by heating it
with __________ [calcium oxide/lead (II) oxide], which acts as
a/an __________ [oxidising/reducing] agent.
(vii) Hydrogen chloride and water are examples of __________
[polar covalent/non polar covalent] compounds and the solution
of hydrogen chloride in water __________ [contains/does not
contain] free ions.
(viii) An aqueous solution of HCl gas is named __________
[aquafortis/oil of vitriol/muriatic acid].
(ix) The salt obtained when rock salt reacts with conc. sulphuric acid
below 200C is a/an __________ [acid/normal] salt.
(x) In the preparation of HCl acid from HCl gas, a funnel
arrangement provides __________ [more/less] surface area for
the absorption of gas.
Ans. (i) P2O5
(ii) silver nitrate, soluble, insoluble
(iii) thermal dissociation (iv) iron (II) sulphide
(v) iron (II) chloride, simple displacement
(vi) lead (II) oxide, oxidising
(vii) polar covalent, contains
(viii) muriatic acid
(ix) acid
(x) more

Chemistry Class-X 6 Question Bank

23. Select the correct words from the list given below to complete the
following word equations :
metallic oxide, active metal, metal carbonate, metal bisulphite,
metal hydroxide, metal bicarbonate, metal sulphate and metal
sulphide.
(i) __________ + HCl (dil.) Metal salt + water + Carbon
dioxide gas
(ii) __________ + HCl (dil.) Metal salt + hydrogen sluphide
gas
(iii) __________ + HCl (dil.) Metal salt + hydrogen gas
(iv) __________ + HCl (dil.) Metal salt + water + sulphur
dioxide gas
(v) _______ + HCl (dil.) Metal salt + water
Ans. (i) Metal carbonate/metal bicarbonate
(ii) Metal sulphide
(iii) Active metal
(iv) Metal bisulphite
(v) Metal oxide/metal hydroxide
24. Select the correct word/formula from the choices given below :
(i) A substance which reacts with conc. HCl to liberate chlorine.
[PbO/PbO2/PbCl2]
(ii) An acid which is not monobasic acid
[HNO3/HCl/HCOOH/H2SO4]
(iii) A metal which reacts with dil HCl to liberate hydrogen
[Zn/Cu/Ag/Pb]
(iv) An acid which is not an oxidising agent. [H2SO4/HNO3/HCl]
(v) A salt insoluble in cold water, but soluble in hot water.
[(PbCl2/PbSO4/PbS]
Ans. (i) PbO2 (ii) H2SO4
(iii) Zn (iv) HCl
(v) PbCl2

Chemistry Class-X 7 Question Bank

25. Choose the chemicals from the letters A, B, C, D and E, which
match the descriptions below
A. NH4Cl B. AgCl
C. Ag(NH3)2 Cl D. PbCl2
E. FeCl2
(i) A salt which is soluble in hot water, but insoluble in cold water.
(ii) A salt which is insoluble in nitric acid, but soluble in ammonia
solution.
(iii) A salt obtained when a basic gas reacts with HCl gas.
(iv) A salt obtained by the action of active metal with dil. HCl.
(v) A salt obtained by dissolving insoluble metallic chloride in
excess of ammonium hydroxide.
Ans. (i) D. PbCl2 (ii) B. AgCl
(iii) A. NH4Cl (iv) E. FeCl2
(v) C. Ag(NH3)2 Cl
26. A colourless gas G fumes strongly in the air. The gas gives dense
white fumes when a glass rod dipped in ammonia solution is held
near the gas. Answer the following questions :
(i) Name the gas G.
(ii) Name two chemicals used in the preparation of the gas G.
(iii) Write the chemical equations for the reaction of the chemicals
named in (ii) when :
(a) The reaction mixture is not heated.
(b) The reaction mixture is heated above 100C.
(iv) Why does the gas G fume strongly in air ?
(v) Why does the gas G form dense white fumes with ammonium
hydroxide ? [5]
Ans. (i) The gas G is hydrogen chloride gas.
(ii) The chemicals are (i) sodium chloride (ii) conc. sulphuric acid
(iii) (a) NaCl + H2SO4 (conc.) Without
Heating
NaHSO4 + HCl (g)
(b) NaCl + NaHSO4
Heat
Na2SO4 + HCl (g)

Chemistry Class-X 8 Question Bank

 (iv) It is because the HCl gas is extremely soluble in water. Thus,
the gas dissolves in water vapour present in the air to form tiny
droplets of hydrochloric acid, which appear in the form of
fumes.
(v) The HCl gas reacts with vapours of ammonium hydroxide to
form very fine solid particles of ammonium hydroxide which
are white in colour. These white particles of solid ammonium
hydroxide appear in the form of white fumes.
27. State the products formed and write chemical equations when the
following substances are treated with hydrochloric acid.
(a) Calcium carbonate
(b) Magnesium hydrogen carbonate
(c) Ferric hydroxide (d) Copper oxide
(e) Sodium nitrite (f) Zinc sulphide
(g) Aluminium metal (h) Potassium sulphite
(i) Potassium nitrate [2 each]
Ans. (a) When calcium carbonate is treated with dilute hydrochloric
acid, the products are :
(i) calcium chloride, (ii) carbon dioxide gas and (iii) water
CaCO3 + 2HCl (dil.) CaCl2 + CO2 (g) + H2O
(b) When magnesium hydrogen carbonate is treated with dilute
hydrochloric acid, the products are:
(i) magnesium chloride, (ii) carbon dioxide gas and (iii) water.
Mg (HCO3)2 + 2HCl (dil.) MgCl2 + 2CO2 (g) + 2H2O
(c) When ferric hydroxide is treated with dilute hydrochloric acid,
the products are : (i) ferric chloride and (ii) water.
Fe(OH)3 + 3HCl (dil.) FeCl3 + 3H2O
(d) When copper oxide is warmed with dilute hydrochloric acid, the
products are :
(i) copper chloride, (ii) water.
CuO + 2HCl (dil.) Warm
CuCl2 + H2O

Chemistry Class-X 9 Question Bank

 (e) When sodium nitrite is treated with dilute hydrochloric acid, the
products are :
(i) sodium chloride, (ii) nitric oxide
(iii) nitrogen dioxide gas and (iv) water.
2NaNO2 + 2HCl (dil.) 2NaCl + NO(g) + NO2(g) + H2O
(f) When zinc sulphide is treated with dilute hydrochloric acid, the
products are :
(i) zinc chloride and (ii) hydrogen sulphide gas.
ZnS + 2HCl (dil.) ZnCl2 + H2S (g)
(g) When aluminium metal is treated with dilute hydrochloric acid,
the products are :
(i) aluminium chloride and (ii) hydrogen gas.
2Al + 6HCl (dil.) 2AlCl3 + 3H2 (g)
(h) When potassium sulphite is treated with dilute hydrochloric
acid, the products are :
(i) potassium chloride, (ii) sulphur dioxide gas and (iii) water
K2SO3 + 2HCl (dil.) 2KCl + SO2 (g) + H2O
(i) When potassium nitrate is boiled with conc hydrochloric acid,
the products are :
(i) potassium chloride and (ii) nitric acid.
KNO3 + HCl (conc.) Heat
KCl + HNO3
28. What is aqua regia? How does it help in dissolving gold or
platinum? Support your answer with chemical equations. [4]
Ans. A mixture of 1 part (by weight) of conc. nitric acid and 3 parts (by
weight) of conc. hydrochloric acid is called aqua regia.
The conc. HCl and conc. HNO3 react to form nascent chlorine
which reacts with gold or platinum to form their respective soluble
chlorides.
HNO3 + 3HCl (conc.) 2H2O + NOCl + 2(Cl)
Au + 3(Cl) AuCl3
Pt + 4(Cl) PtCl4

Chemistry Class-X 10 Question Bank

29. Give two tests for HCl gas. [2]
Ans. (i) It forms dense white fumes when a glass rod dipped in ammonia
solution, is held near it.
(ii) It forms curdy white precipitate when passed through a solution
of silver nitrate.
30. Give two tests for hydrochloric acid. [2]
Ans. 1. When manganese dioxide is boiled with conc. hydrochloric
acid, greenish-yellow gas chlorine is evolved.
2. When treated with silver nitrate solution, it forms curdy white
precipiate, which is soluble in excess of ammonium hydroxide
solution.
31. State four uses of hydrochloric acid. [2]
Ans. Uses of hydrochloric acid :
1. It is used in the manufacture of glucose from starch.
2. It is used for the extraction of glue from bones.
3. It is used in the manufacture of silver chloride, widely used in
photography.
4. It is used in the manufacture of dyes, drugs and paints.
32. (i) Hydrogen is burnt in a greenish-yellow gas A then another gas
B is formed. The gas B gives dense white fumes with ammonia
liquor. Name the gases A and B. [2]
(ii) Write chemical equations in support of your answer in 32 (i). [2]
(iii) Burning sodium is taken in the gas B, when it forms a salt C and
another colourless gas D. The salt solution of C gives a curdy
white precipitate with silver nitrate solution. The white
precipitate is soluble in excess of ammonium hydroxide.
(a) Name the salt C. [1]
(b) Name the gas D. [1]
(c) Write the chemical equations for the reaction between
(1.) B and sodium (2.) C and silver nitrate
(3.) white precipitate and ammonium hydroxide [3]

Chemistry Class-X 11 Question Bank

Ans. (i) A is chlorine gas.
B is hydrogen chloride gas.
(ii) H2 + Cl2 2HCl
NH4OH + HCl NH4Cl + H2O
(iii) (a) The salt C is sodium chloride
(b) The gas D is hydrogen gas.
(c) (1) 2Na + 2HCl 2NaCl + H2 (g)
(2) NaCl + AgNO3 AgCl + NaNO3
(3) AgCl + 2NH4OH [Ag (NH3)2Cl] + 2H2O
33. Describe tests (other than electrolysis) to prove that hydrochloric
acid contains :
(i) hydrogen gas, (ii) chlorine gas
Ans. (i) To show the presence of hydrogen in hydrochloric acid.
To the dilute solution of HCl, add a few pieces of magnesium
and collect the gas evolved. Test the gas with a burning splint. It
is observed that the gas burns with a pop sound. This proves that
hydrogen gas is evolved and hence the hydrochloric acid
contains hydrogen gas.
(ii) To show the presence of chlorine in hydrochloric acid.
To about 10 cm3 of conc. hydrochloric acid, add 2g of
manganese dioxide. Boil the reaction mixture. It is observed that
a greenish yellow gas is given out. Test the gas with moist
potassium iodide paper. The paper will turn blue. This confirms
that chlorine gas is given out and hence hydrochloric acid
contains chlorine.
34. How can you distinguish between HCl gas and carbon dioxide gas
by ONE test ? [2]
Ans. Hold a glass rod moistened with ammonium hydroxide in either of
the gases. In case of HCl gas, dense white fumes are formed but not
in case of carbon dioxide gas.

Chemistry Class-X 12 Question Bank

35. Explain, why silver nitrate crystals are dissolved in distilled water
and not in tap water in order to prepare a solution of silver nitrate as
a laboratory reagent. [4]
Ans. Tap water always contains some amount of dissolved sodium
chloride. Thus, when the solution of silver nitrate is prepared in tap
water, it reacts to form curdy white precipitate of silver chloride.
AgNO3 + NaCl AgCl + NaNO3
To prevent the above chemical reaction, the solution of silver nitrate
is prepared in distilled water.
36. (a) Name two gases which react chemically to form a solid. [1]
(b) Name a metallic chloride which is soluble in excess of
ammonium hydroxide. [1]
(c) By giving a reason explain why dilute HCl connot be
concentrated by simple distillation. [1]
Ans. (a) The two gases which react chemically to form a solid are :
(i) ammonia gas (ii) hydrogen chloride gas.
(b) Silver chloride is soluble in excess of ammonium hydroxide.
(c) When the concentration of hydrochloric acid is 22.2% by
weight, it forms a constant boiling mixture. Now if it is
distilled, the water and hydrochloric acid will distil in the same
proportion as constant boiling mixture. Thus, the distillate
cannot be more concentrated than the hydrochloric acid in the
distillation flask.

Chemistry Class-X 13 Question Bank