Question

Write out the balanced equation for the reaction that occurs when Li and H2O react together. You do not need to make your subscripts smaller; just write them out as regular numbers. For example: H2O

Answer 1

@Jamierox4ev3r

Answer 2

Well, Lithium has a +1 charge on it at all times, so we can write the reaction product as this:

\[Li _{2}HO\]

I think this is the correct way to write it. Am I wrong @Jamierox4ev3r ?

Answer 3

Not quite, unfortunately

Answer 4

hmmmm....

Answer 5

This is also another double replacement reaction.

So:

\(Li + H_2O~ -> LIOH + H_2\)

Answer 6

LIOH+H2?

Answer 7

yup!

Answer 8

So, based on how I helped you on the previous question, can you attempt to balance the equation for me? I can guide you

Answer 9

li= 1 li = 1
h= 2 h= 3
0= 1 0=1

Answer 10

Good! So we can see discrepancies in the amounts of hydrogen, mainly.

Answer 11

So where would you add subscripts to fix this?

Answer 12

Li0+1h2

Answer 13

Huh?

Answer 14

oh sorry, I meant coefficients.

Answer 15

But in any case:

\(Li + H_2O~ -> LIOH + H_2\)

*1 Li *1 Li
*2 H \(\color{red}{ *3 H}\)
*1 O *1 O

We have the right amount of O and Li already

However, since H is off, we can add a coefficient of 2 in front of LiOH in order to start fixing this

Answer 16

what happens if we have 2 LiOH? @rebeccaxhawaii

Answer 17

li= 3
0 = 3
H= 3

Answer 18

not quite. 2 LiOH just gives us the following:

*2 Li
*2 O
*2 H

This is all just multiplication, so it's the current amount x 2.

Answer 19

This is really important to understand if you want to balance equations on your own

Answer 20

oh okay

Answer 21

\(Li + H_2O~ -> \color{red}{2}LIOH + H_2\)
*1 Li *2 Li
*2 H *4 H
*1 O *2 O


So this is what we have so far. But noticed how everything in the reactants just needs to be doubled!

Answer 22

Can you figure out where the other coefficients need to go then?

Answer 23

2Li+2H2O

Answer 24

bingo!

Answer 25

2Li+2H2O => 2LIOH+H2

Answer 26

\(\color{red}{2}Li + \color{red}{2}H_2O~ -> \color{red}{2}LiOH + H_2\)

You are correct

Answer 27

alright awesome! THANK YOU SO MUCHHHHHHHHHH

Answer 28

of course, anytime :)