When HCl(g) is dissolved in water, which covalent bonds are broken during the process?

• A. No covalent bonds are broken
• B. The Cl–Cl bond in Cl2
• C. The H–Cl bond in HCl
• D. The O–H bond in H2O

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the species involved in the process: HCl gas dissolving in water (H2O).
2. Recall that HCl is a covalent molecule with a polar H–Cl bond, and water has O–H covalent bonds.
3. Understand that when HCl dissolves in water, it ionizes into H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, which requires breaking the H–Cl covalent bond.
4. Recognize that the O–H bonds in water remain intact during this process; water molecules interact with ions via hydrogen bonding but do not break their covalent bonds.
5. Conclude that the covalent bond broken during the dissolution of HCl in water is the H–Cl bond.