HCl + H2O → H3O+ + Cl-
When hydrochloric acid is added to water, the HCl molecule dissociates into hydrogen ions (H+) and chloride ions (Cl-). The hydrogen ions then react with water molecules to form hydronium ions (H3O+). This process is known as acid dissociation or ionization.
The hydronium ions are responsible for the acidic properties of the solution. They react with other substances, such as bases, to neutralize the acid. The chloride ions remain in solution as spectator ions, meaning that they do not participate in the acid-base reaction.
