Which of the following is a physical property of hydrochloric acid?

• A. It reacts with sodium hydroxide to form water and sodium chloride.
• B. It corrodes metals such as zinc.
• C. It decomposes to form hydrogen and chlorine gases.
• D. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the difference between physical and chemical properties: Physical properties can be observed or measured without changing the substance's identity, while chemical properties describe how a substance reacts or changes into a different substance.
2. Review each statement and determine if it describes a physical or chemical property:
3. - "It reacts with sodium hydroxide to form water and sodium chloride" describes a chemical reaction, so it is a chemical property.
4. - "It corrodes metals such as zinc" involves a chemical change where the metal reacts, so it is a chemical property.
5. - "It decomposes to form hydrogen and chlorine gases" is a chemical change, indicating a chemical property.
6. - "It is a colorless liquid at room temperature" describes a characteristic that can be observed without changing the substance, so it is a physical property.