When magnesium metal and an aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid combine, they produce an aqueous solution of magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas. Using the equation, Mg (s) + 2HCl (aq) → MgCl2 (aq) + H2 (g), if 48.6 g of Mg and 150.0 g of HCl are allowed to react, identify the limiting reagent

1 answer

It takes 2 moles of HCl to react with each mole of Mg.

48.6 g of Mg = ? moles
150.0 g of HCl = ? moles

If there are less than half as many moles of Mg as HCl, it will be the limiting reagent.