...And it is supplied in cylinders.....because it is a polar molecule, the which we could represent as #stackrel(delta+)H-stackrel(delta-)Cl#, it is effectively solvated in aqueous solutions to give discrete hydronium ions, i.e. #H_3O^+# or #H_5O_2^+# or #H_7O_3^+#, or even just a simple representation of #H^+#. And likewise the chloride is solvated by water molecules, #Cl^-#.
Because these are CHARGED IONS, charged particles in solution, the solution will conduct electricity very effectively. On the other hand, tap water contains much smaller concentrations of ions, i.e. #Ca^(2+)# and #Cl^-# and of course equilibrium quantities of #H_3O^+# and #HO^-#, and this should be a more effective conductor than distilled water, which contains only #H_3O^+# and #HO^-# at small concentrations.......
