J.R. S. answered 03/15/21
Ph.D. University Professor with 10+ years Tutoring Experience
Assuming you are talking about the reaction of Al with HCl, for example, then you would proceed as follows:
Write a balanced equation:
2Al + 6HCl ==> 2AlCl3 + 3H2
Next, use dimensional analysis and the stoichiometry of the balanced equation:
17.5 g H2 x 1 mol H2/2 g x 2 mol Al/3 mol H2 x 27.0 g Al/mol Al = 158 g Al needed