Hydrogen chloride uptake by a water aerosol is simulated in the present study. Two different initial Reynolds numbers of 10 and 100 are taken into consideration. Of particular attention is placed on the effect of drag force upon the uptake process. The results reveal that the variation of aerosol velocity is faster than that of the absorption process, rendering the droplet uptake rate being substantially decreased by the deceleration motion. Regarding the mass transfer, the simulations suggest that the solute is transported along the streamlines from the aerosol surface to the droplet center via convection. Then it moves toward the vortex core through diffusion. In the initial period the mass and momentum transfers are violently, but they decay progressively with time. The obtained results not only provide a fundamental insight into the recognition of atmospheric aerosol absorption, they also give a useful reference for designing wet scrubbers and spray towers in the future.