Determine the correct balanced chemical equation for lithium reacting with water.Li (s) + HO (l) → LiOH (aq)Li (s) + HO (l) → LiOH (aq) + H (g)2Li (s) + 2HO (l) → 2LiOH (aq) + H (g)

The correct balanced chemical equation for lithium reacting with water is:

2Li (s) + 2H2O (l) → 2LiOH (aq) + H2 (g)

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Identify the reactants and products: The reactants are lithium (Li) and water (H2O). The products are lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and hydrogen gas (H2).

2. Write the unbalanced equation: Li (s) + H2O (l) → LiOH (aq) + H2 (g)

3. Balance the equation: To balance the equation, we need to ensure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation.

   • Looking at lithium (Li), we have one atom on the left side and one atom on the right side. So, lithium is balanced.

   • Looking at hydrogen (H), we have two atoms in water on the left side and two atoms in hydrogen gas plus one atom in lithium hydroxide on the right side. So, hydrogen is not balanced. To balance hydrogen, we can put a coefficient of 2 in front of water and lithium hydroxide.

   • Looking at oxygen (O), we have one atom in water on the left side and one atom in lithium hydroxide on the right side. So, oxygen is balanced.

4. Check the equation: The final step is to check the equation to make sure it's balanced. We have 2 atoms of lithium, 4 atoms of hydrogen, and 2 atoms of oxygen on both sides of the equation. So, the equation is balanced.