The balanced chemical equation for the single replacement reaction of solid lithium and aqueous magnesium nitrate is:
2Li(s) + Mg(NO3)2(aq) → Mg(s) + 2LiNO3(aq)
From the equation, we can see that 2 moles of Li react with 1 mole of Mg(NO3)2 to produce 1 mole of Mg and 2 moles of LiNO3.
First, we need to determine the number of moles of Mg(NO3)2 in 75.0 grams:
m = mass / molar mass
m = 75.0 g / 148.31 g/mol
m = 0.5053 mol Mg(NO3)2
Since 2 moles of Li react with 1 mole of Mg(NO3)2, we need half as many moles of Li:
n(Li) = 0.5 x n(Mg(NO3)2)
n(Li) = 0.5 x 0.5053 mol
n(Li) = 0.2527 mol
Finally, we can calculate the mass of Li needed using its molar mass:
m(Li) = n(Li) x M(Li)
m(Li) = 0.2527 mol x 6.94 g/mol
m(Li) = 1.75 g
Therefore, 1.75 grams of lithium will combine with 75.0 grams of magnesium nitrate in this reaction.