Lithium Reacting with Water
2Li + 2H2O → 2LiOH + H2
Overview
Lithium reacts steadily with water to produce lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. While still vigorous, lithium is the least reactive of the alkali metals due to its high ionization energy and strong metallic bonding. The hydrogen does not ignite spontaneously as with sodium or potassium.
Participants
| Role | Substance | Coefficient | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reactant | Lithium Li | 2 | (s) |
| Reactant | Water H₂O | 2 | (l) |
| Product | Hydrogen H | 1 | (g) |
| Product | Lithium Hydroxide LiOH | 2 | (aq) |
Everyday Example
Lithium's moderate water reactivity is why lithium-ion batteries, while reactive, are generally safer to handle than metallic sodium or potassium.
Industrial Importance
Lithium hydroxide is a critical material for lithium-ion battery cathode manufacturing and as a CO2 scrubber in spacecraft life support systems.
Properties
- Type
- Single Replacement
- Reversible
- No
- Energy
- Exothermic
- ΔH
- -446.0 kJ/mol
Related Reactions
Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid
Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite)
Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic)
Calcium Reacting with Water
Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace
Chlorine Displacing Bromine from Sodium Bromide
Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide
Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate
Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride
Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the equation for Lithium Reacting with Water?
The balanced equation is: 2Li + 2H₂O → 2LiOH + H₂.
What type of reaction is Lithium Reacting with Water?
Lithium Reacting with Water is a single replacement reaction.
Is Lithium Reacting with Water exothermic or endothermic?
Lithium Reacting with Water is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -446.0 kJ/mol.