Question

Li + HNO3 > LiNO3 + H2 how do I balance it? Show work pls

Answer 1

Answer: The balanced equation is
`2Li + 2HNO_(3) \rightarrow 2LiNO_(3) + H_(2)`.

Step-by-step explanation:

The given reaction equation is as follows.

`Li + HNO_(3) \rightarrow LiNO_(3) + H_(2)`

Number of atoms present on reactant side are as follows.

• Li = 1
• H = 1
• 
  `NO_(3)` = 1

Number of atoms present on product side are as follows.

• Li = 1
• H = 2
• 
  `NO_(3)` = 1

To balance this equation, multiply Li by 2 and
`HNO_(3)` by 2 on reactant side. Also, multiply
`LiNO_(3)` by 2 on product side.

Hence, the equation can be rewritten as follows.

`2Li + 2HNO_(3) \rightarrow 2LiNO_(3) + H_(2)`

Now, number of atoms present on reactant side are as follows.

• Li = 2
• H = 2
• 
  `NO_(3)` = 2

Number of atoms present on product side are as follows.

• Li = 2
• H = 2
• 
  `NO_(3)` = 2

As there are same number of atoms on both reactant and product side. Hence, the equation is now balanced.

Thus, we can conclude that the balanced equation is
`2Li + 2HNO_(3) \rightarrow 2LiNO_(3) + H_(2)`.