In the reaction \( \text{HCl} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Cl}^- + \text{H}_3\text{O}^+ \), HCl donates a proton (H\(^+\)) to water (H\(_2\)O), which leads to the formation of the conjugate base (Cl\(^-\)) and the hydronium ion (H\(_3\)O\(^+\)).
From this analysis, we can conclude that:
- HCl is an acid.
- Cl\(^-\) is the conjugate base of HCl.
- H\(_2\)O acts as a base in this reaction, and H\(_3\)O\(^+\) is the conjugate acid formed from water.
Thus, the correct statement is:
HCl is an acid, and Cl– is its conjugate base.