2HCl + Mg MgCl2 +H2
My professor gave this example to solve for the theoretical yield:

Calculate the theoretical yield of the above reaction when 5.0 g of HCl reacts with excess Mg.

He did dimensional analysis and found theoretical yield of H2. Why do we use H2 instead of MgCl2? Please help!

Question

2HCl + Mg > MgCl2 +H2 
My professor gave this example to solve for the theoretical yield:

Calculate the theoretical yield of the above reaction when 5.0 g of HCl reacts with excess Mg. 

He did dimensional analysis and found  theoretical yield of H2. Why do we use H2 instead of MgCl2? Please help!

photon336 · Answer

You can find the theoretical yield for either product. He may just have found H2 to how you how to do it.