To balance the chemical equation, we must determine the appropriate coefficients that make the number of each type of atom equal on both sides of the equation. Here's the balanced equation:
1 Li₂O + 1 H₂O → 2 LiOH
Let's break it down step by step:
1. Identify each type of atom on both sides of the equation.
- Reactants: Li₂O and H₂O
- Products: LiOH
2. Count the number of atoms of each element in the reactants and the products.
- In Li₂O (lithium oxide), we have:
- Li: 2 atoms
- O: 1 atom
- In H₂O (water), we have:
- H: 2 atoms
- O: 1 atom
- In LiOH (lithium hydroxide), we have:
- Li: 1 atom
- O: 1 atom
- H: 1 atom
3. To balance the equation, choose coefficients that equalize the number of atoms of each element on both sides:
- The coefficient of Li₂O in the reactants is 1.
- Li: 2 atoms
- O: 1 atom
- The coefficient of H₂O in the reactants is 1.
- H: 2 atoms
- O: 1 atom
- The coefficient of LiOH in the products must be 2 to balance the lithium (Li).
- Li: 2 atoms (2 x 1)
- O: 2 atoms (2 x 1)
- H: 2 atoms (2 x 1)
4. Double-check the balance:
- Reactants:
- Li: 2 from Li₂O
- O: 1 from Li₂O + 1 from H₂O = 2
- H: 2 from H₂O
- Products:
- Li: 2 from 2 LiOH
- O: 2 from 2 LiOH
- H: 2 from 2 LiOH
The equation is now balanced. Thus, your coefficients for the balanced equation are:
[tex]\[ 1 \text{ Li}_2\text{O} + 1 \text{ H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 2 \text{ LiOH} \][/tex]
So, the appropriate coefficients to balance the chemical equation are:
- [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex] for [tex]\( \text{Li}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( 1 \)[/tex] for [tex]\( \text{H}_2\text{O} \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( 2 \)[/tex] for [tex]\( \text{LiOH} \)[/tex]
