Question

Lithium and oxygen react to form lithium oxide. What is the balanced equation for this reaction?

Answer 1

Answer:

C

Explanation:

Both lithium and oxygen react to form an ionic bond between them. There is one Oxygen atom on the right side and 2 Oxygen atoms on the left, therefore coefficient 2 is added on right side to balance the oxygen atoms. 

Li + O2 --> 2 Li2O 

There will be 4 Lithium atoms on right side and 1 Lithium on the left therefore coefficient  4 is added to balance the lithium atoms

4 Li + O2 --> 2 Li2O 

The balanced equation is: 

4 Li + O2 --> 2 Li2O