Consider the reaction of magnesium metal with hydrochloric acid to produce magnesium chloride and hydrogen gas. if 4.40 mol of magnesium and 4.40 mol of hydrochloric acid are reacted, how many moles of magnesium chloride are produced?

The balanced chemical equation for the above reaction is as follows;

Mg + 2HCl - > MgCl2 + H2

The stoichiometry of Mg to HCl is 1:2

This means that 1 mol of Mg reacts with 2 mol of HCl

Equal amounts of both Mg and HCl have been added. One reagent is the limiting reactant and other reactant is in excess.

Limiting reactant is the reagent that is fully used up in the reaction and the amount of Product formed depends on the amount of limiting reactant present.

In this reaction if Mg is the limiting reactant, 4.40 moles of Mg should react with 4.40x2 - 8.80 moles of HCl.

But only 4.40 moles of HCl present therefore HCl is the limiting reactant that reacts with 4.40/2 = 2.20 moles of Mg

Stoichiometry of HCl to MgCl2 is 2:1

Since HCl moles reacted - 4.40 mol

Then MgCl2 moles formed are 4.40/2 = 2.20 mol of MgCl2