Answer:
1 Li2O + 1 H2O → 2 LiOH
Step-by-step explanation:
The unbalanced equation is:
Li2O + H2O → LiOH
Balanced, it should be:
Li2O + H2O → 2 LiOH
Let's verify the balance:
- Lithium (Li) atoms: There are 2 lithium atoms in one molecule of Li2O, and since we produce 2 LiOH molecules, each having 1 lithium atom, we also have 2 lithium atoms on the product side. (2 Li atoms on both sides)
- Oxygen (O) atoms: There is 1 oxygen atom in one molecule of Li2O, and 1 oxygen atom in one molecule of H2O on the reactant side for a total of 2 on the reactant side. On the product side, each LiOH molecule contains 1 oxygen atom, and since we form 2 LiOH molecules, there are also 2 oxygen atoms on the product side. (2 O atoms on both sides)
- Hydrogen (H) atoms: There are 2 hydrogen atoms in one molecule of H2O on the reactant side, and since we produce 2 LiOH molecules, each with one hydrogen atom, we also have 2 hydrogen atoms on the product side. (2 H atoms on both sides)
So the correct balanced equation, with coefficients, is:
1 Li2O + 1 H2O → 2 LiOH
This equation is now balanced in terms of atoms on both sides for lithium, oxygen, and hydrogen, and it adheres to the law of conservation of mass.