Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) is a strong, corrosive mineral acid that is widely used in various industrial and laboratory applications. It is a clear, colorless liquid with a pungent odor and is highly soluble in water, forming hydrogen and chloride ions. Hydrochloric acid is commonly used for pH control, metal cleaning, food processing, and chemical synthesis. Due to its corrosive nature, it should be handled with proper safety precautions.