International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Chemistry Practice Exam

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What is the chemical name for HCl?

Hydrochloric acid
Nitric acid
Sulfuric acid
Hydrogen chloride

The correct answer is: Hydrochloric acid

The chemical name for HCl is Hydrochloric acid. This is because HCl is an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride, and when it is dissolved in water, it forms hydrochloric acid, which is commonly used in various industrial and laboratory applications. In terms of nomenclature, "hydro" signifies that it is derived from hydrogen, while "chloric" indicates the presence of chlorine. Furthermore, while "Hydrogen chloride" is also a correct term for HCl in its gaseous form, in the context of its solution, "Hydrochloric acid" is the appropriate name to use. The distinction lies in whether you are referring to the gaseous state or the acidic solution, which is why "hydrochloric acid" is the more relevant answer here.