To identify the reactants in the chemical equation [tex]\( \text{Zn} + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{ZnCl}_2 + \text{H}_2 \)[/tex], we need to understand what reactants and products are in a chemical reaction.
1. Understanding Reactants and Products:
- Reactants are the substances that undergo chemical change in a reaction. They are found on the left side of the chemical equation.
- Products are the new substances formed as a result of the reaction, and they are found on the right side of the equation.
2. Identify the Substances in the Equation:
- The given equation is [tex]\( \text{Zn} + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{ZnCl}_2 + \text{H}_2 \)[/tex].
- On the left side of the equation, we have:
- [tex]\( \text{Zn} \)[/tex]: This is zinc.
- [tex]\( 2\text{HCl} \)[/tex]: This is hydrochloric acid, represented as two molecules of HCl.
3. Identify the Reactants:
- Therefore, the reactants in this chemical reaction are zinc ([tex]\( \text{Zn} \)[/tex]) and hydrochloric acid ([tex]\( \text{HCl} \)[/tex]).
4. Matching the Choices:
- Let's match these reactants with the given options:
- A. zinc chloride and hydrogen. (These are products, not reactants.)
- B. zinc chlorate and water. (These are not even part of the given equation.)
- C. zinc and hydrochloric acid. (This matches our identified reactants.)
- D. zinc and hydrogen carbonate. (This is not part of the given equation.)
The best answer for the question is:
C. zinc and hydrochloric acid.
