Hydrochloric acid

What Is Hydrochloric Acid?

Hydrochloric acid is a special kind of water that has a gas called hydrogen chloride mixed into it. It looks clear and has a strong smell. It is very useful in many places.

Hydrochloric Acid In Our Bodies

Our stomachs make a little bit of hydrochloric acid. This helps break down the food we eat. The stomach is protected by a thick layer of mucus, so the acid does not hurt us.

Where Else Do We Find It?

Scientists use hydrochloric acid in labs for experiments. Factories use it to make many everyday products, like cleaning supplies and medicines. It helps clean steel and can even be used to make food taste better.

Fun Fact

Hydrochloric acid has had many names over the years! Long ago, it was called “spirits of salt.” Today, it is also known as muriatic acid. A French chemist named Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac gave it its name in 1814.