Question

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

Answer 1

Answer: The balanced equation is $2Li + 2HNO_{3} \rightarrow 2LiNO_{3} + H_{2}$.

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 $2Li + 2HNO_{3} \rightarrow 2LiNO_{3} + H_{2}$.