Question

when an old building is to be torn down, mr. phams company removes the bricks, cleans off the mortar from bricks, and then sells the bricks to companies that restore historic buildings. which compound is mr. phams company most likely to use in its work?- hydrochloric acid- nitric acid- sodium hydroxide- lithium hydroxide

Explanation:

Mortar is primarily composed of calcium carbonate ($\text{CaCO}_3$). Hydrochloric acid reacts with calcium carbonate in a safe, controlled way to dissolve the mortar without severely damaging the bricks. Nitric acid is too corrosive and can damage bricks, while the hydroxide compounds are not effective at dissolving the carbonate-based mortar.

Answer:

hydrochloric acid