The equation hcl (aq) + h2o (l) ↔ h3o + (aq) + cl - (aq) properly depicts the behavior of hydrochloric acid in water. the equation hcl (aq) + h2o (l) ↔ h3o + (aq) + cl - (aq) properly depicts the behavior of hydrochloric acid in water.

a. True

b. False

Reaction of interest: HCl (aq) + H2O (l) ↔ H3O + (aq) + Cl - (aq)

Answer: option a) True

Reason:

According the Lowry-Bronsted theory of acid and base, an acid is a proton donor, while base is a proton acceptor. An acid donates the proton to form conjugate base and base accept the proton to generate conjugate acid.

In above reaction, HCl donates the proton to H2O, hence it is an acid. Upon proton donation, to forms Cl-, which is conjugate base of acid.