Balance Li + H₂O → LiOH + H₂
2 Li(s) + 2 H₂O(l) → 2 LiOH(aq) + H₂(g)
Balance an equation
2Li(s)+2H₂O(l)→2LiOH(aq)+H₂(g)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Li | 1:1 | 2:2 |
| H | 2:3 | 4:4 |
| O | 1:1 | 2:2 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, H₂O: put 1 in front of it.
- O: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of LiOH.
- Li: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of Li.
- H: 2 on the left, 1 already on the right. Put 1/2 in front of H₂ (1/2 × 2 = 1).
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2.
- Check: Li 2 = 2, H 4 = 4, O 2 = 2. Balanced.
What happens
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Lithium reacts steadily with water to give lithium hydroxide and hydrogen, more gently than sodium.
Lithium and water: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for lithium and water?
2 Li(s) + 2 H₂O(l) → 2 LiOH(aq) + H₂(g). The coefficients are 2, 2, 2 and 1. Each side then has 2 Li, 4 H and 2 O.
What type of reaction is lithium and water?
It is a displacement reaction: a more reactive element pushes a less reactive one out of its compound. Lithium reacts steadily with water to give lithium hydroxide and hydrogen, more gently than sodium.
How do you balance Li + H₂O → LiOH + H₂?
Start with the biggest formula, H₂O: put 1 in front of it. O: 1 on the left. Put 1 in front of LiOH. Li: 1 on the right. Put 1 in front of Li. H: 2 on the left, 1 already on the right. Put 1/2 in front of H₂ (1/2 × 2 = 1). Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.