Let's go through the detailed, step-by-step solution for determining the limiting reactant in the reaction:
[tex]\[ Zn + 2 HCl \rightarrow ZnCl_2 + H_2 \][/tex]
### Step 1: Identify the given quantities.
We are given:
- 2.1 moles of Zinc ([tex]\( Zn \)[/tex])
- 6.0 moles of Hydrochloric acid ([tex]\( HCl \)[/tex])
### Step 2: Write the balanced chemical equation.
The balanced equation is:
[tex]\[ \text{Zn} + 2 \text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{ZnCl}_2 + \text{H}_2 \][/tex]
### Step 3: Determine the stoichiometric coefficients.
From the balanced equation:
- Stoichiometric coefficient of [tex]\( Zn \)[/tex] is 1.
- Stoichiometric coefficient of [tex]\( HCl \)[/tex] is 2.
### Step 4: Calculate the theoretical maximum moles of product that can be formed from each reactant.
For Zinc ([tex]\( Zn \)[/tex]):
[tex]\[ \text{max product from Zn} = \frac{\text{moles of Zn}}{\text{coefficient of Zn}} = \frac{2.1}{1} = 2.1 \text{ moles} \][/tex]
For Hydrochloric acid ([tex]\( HCl \)[/tex]):
[tex]\[ \text{max product from HCl} = \frac{\text{moles of HCl}}{\text{coefficient of HCl}} = \frac{6.0}{2} = 3.0 \text{ moles} \][/tex]
### Step 5: Determine the limiting reactant.
The limiting reactant is the reactant that produces the fewer moles of product.
Comparing the maximum products:
- Zinc ([tex]\( Zn \)[/tex]) can produce 2.1 moles of product.
- Hydrochloric acid ([tex]\( HCl \)[/tex]) can produce 3.0 moles of product.
Since 2.1 moles (from [tex]\( Zn \)[/tex]) is less than 3.0 moles (from [tex]\( HCl \)[/tex]), [tex]\( Zn \)[/tex] is the limiting reactant.
### Conclusion:
Thus, the limiting reactant in this reaction is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{Zn} \][/tex]
