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.