JEE Main 2003 Chemistry question

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

(1)oxygen in air reacts with the emitted HCl gas to form a cloud of chlorine gas
(2)strong affinity of HCl gas for moisture in air results in forming of droplets of liquid solution which appears like a cloudy smoke.Correct
(3)due to strong affinity for water, concentrated hydrochloric acid pulls moisture of air towards it self. This moisture forms droplets of water and hence the cloud.
(4)concentrated hydrochloric acid emits strongly smelling HCl gas all the time.

Answer: (2)

Solution

HCl gas escapes from the concentrated acid; being extremely soluble in water, it absorbs atmospheric moisture to form tiny droplets of hydrochloric acid, which appear as white fumes, option (2). The printed key gives (1), but oxygen does

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Question ID VK-038191