Here's why:

* Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid, meaning it readily donates hydrogen ions (H+) in solution.

* Neutralization is the reaction between an acid and a base, where the acid's hydrogen ions react with the base's hydroxide ions (OH-), forming water (H2O).

* The remaining ions from the acid and base combine to form a salt.

Example:

If hydrochloric acid (HCl) is neutralized by sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the reaction would be:

HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O

* NaCl is the salt (sodium chloride), commonly known as table salt.

* H2O is water.

Important Note: The specific salt formed depends on the base used to neutralize the hydrochloric acid.