Use the reaction to answer the question.

Question

HCl + H_{2}*O Cl^ - +H 3 O^ +

Which statement about the reaction is correct?

(1 point)

H_{2}*O is an acid, and Cl is its conjugate base.

HCI is an acid, and Cl is its conjugate base.

H_{2}*O is an acid, and H_{3} O^ + is its conjugate base.

HCI is an acid, and H_{3} O^ + is its conjugate base.

Answer 1

In the given reaction:

\[ \text{HCl} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Cl}^- + \text{H}_3\text{O}^+ \]

we can analyze the roles of the substances involved:

• HCl is a strong acid that donates a proton (H^+) during the reaction.
• H2O acts as a base because it accepts a proton from HCl, resulting in the formation of H3O^+ (hydronium ion).
• The Cl^- ion is the conjugate base of HCl, formed when HCl loses a proton.

With this understanding, we can assess the statements provided:

1. H2O is an acid, and Cl is its conjugate base. (Incorrect: H2O is acting as a base, not an acid, and Cl^- is the conjugate base of HCl.)
2. HCl is an acid, and Cl is its conjugate base. (Correct: HCl donates a proton to form Cl^-, making Cl^- the conjugate base of HCl.)
3. H2O is an acid, and H3O^+ is its conjugate base. (Incorrect: H2O is acting as a base, not an acid, and H3O^+ is the conjugate acid, not the base.)
4. HCl is an acid, and H3O^+ is its conjugate base. (Incorrect: HCl is the acid, but H3O^+ is its conjugate acid, not a base.)

Thus, the correct statement is:

HCl is an acid, and Cl is its conjugate base.