Concentrated hydrochloric acid when kept in open air sometimes produces a cloud of white fumes. The explanation for it is that [AIEEE 2003]

• A. Concentrated hydrochloric acid emits strongly smelling \[HCl\] gas all the time
• B. Oxygen in air reacts with the emitted \[HCl\] gas to form a cloud of chlorine gas
• C. Strong affinity of \[HCl\] gas for moisture in air results in forming of droplets of liquid solution which appears like a cloudy smoke
• D. Due to strong affinity for water, concentrated hydrochloric acid pulls moisture of air towards itself. This moisture forms droplets of water and hence the cloud