**Step 1**: Determine the type of reaction.
The reaction between copper and hydrochloric acid is a single replacement reaction.
**Step 2**: Write the balanced chemical equation for the reaction:
Copper (Cu) is a metal, and hydrochloric acid (HCl) is an acid. The reaction between copper and hydrochloric acid can be represented as:
Cu + 2HCl \rightarrow CuCl_2 + H_2
**Step 3**: Balance the chemical equation:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:
Cu + 2HCl \rightarrow CuCl_2 + H_2
**Answer:** The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between copper and hydrochloric acid is:
Cu + 2HCl \rightarrow CuCl_2 + H_2