Problem 124 - Introductory Chemistry Atoms First

Question

Write the balanced equation for the reaction that occurs when an aqueous solution of carbonic acid, \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\), is mixed with an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide, \(\mathrm{LiOH}\).

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between an aqueous solution of carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is: \(2 \mathrm{LiOH} + \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{CO}_{3} \rightarrow \mathrm{Li}_{2}\mathrm{CO}_{3} + 2 \mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\).

Step 1: Identify the products of the reaction

In this reaction, H₂CO₃ and LiOH will exchange their ions, forming lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) and water (H₂O).

Step 2: Write the unbalanced equation

Now that we know the products formed in the reaction, we can write the unbalanced equation: H₂CO₃ + LiOH → Li₂CO₃ + H₂O

Step 3: Balance the chemical equation

To balance the equation, we will adjust the coefficients to make sure the number of atoms of each element is conserved: 2 LiOH + H₂CO₃ → Li₂CO₃ + 2 H₂O Now, the equation is balanced, as there are 2 Li atoms, 2 H atoms, and 1 CO₃ group on both sides of the equation. The balanced chemical equation for the reaction between an aqueous solution of carbonic acid (H₂CO₃) and lithium hydroxide (LiOH) is: 2 LiOH + H₂CO₃ → Li₂CO₃ + 2 H₂O

Key Concepts

Carbonic Acid

Carbonic acid, with the chemical formula \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\), is a weak acid that forms when carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\)) dissolves in water. It's an essential component in natural processes and often appears in reactions involving gases and liquids.

Here are some important aspects of carbonic acid:

• It plays a critical role in the Earth's carbon cycle, helping to regulate pH levels in blood and other biological fluids.
• In the atmosphere, it helps in the formation of rain by combining with water in clouds.
• Despite being called an acid, it doesn't readily donate protons compared to strong acids like hydrochloric acid.

Understanding carbonic acid's role in reactions like the one with lithium hydroxide is essential for grasping the overall dynamics of chemical reactions, especially those resulting in the formation of water and salts.

Lithium Hydroxide Reaction

The reaction between lithium hydroxide (\(\mathrm{LiOH}\)) and carbonic acid (\(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}\)) is a typical example of a neutralization reaction between an acid and a base. This specific reaction results in the formation of lithium carbonate (\(\mathrm{Li}_{2}\mathrm{CO}_{3}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}\)).

Here’s how the reaction works:

• Lithium hydroxide provides hydroxide ions (\(\mathrm{OH}^{-}\)), which neutralize the protons (\(\mathrm{H}^{+}\)) from carbonic acid.
• This process forms water molecules and carbonate ions (\(\mathrm{CO}_{3}^{2-}\)).
• The result is the formation of lithium carbonate, a salt compound.

Balancing the chemical equation ensures that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides. In this reaction, it is important to note the exchange of ions that leads to the neutralization and formation of stable products like lithium carbonate and water.

Chemical Reactions

Chemical reactions are processes where substances, known as reactants, are transformed into different substances, called products. This transformation often involves the breaking and forming of bonds between atoms, resulting in changes in composition and energy.

Important points about chemical reactions include:

• Chemical reactions can be categorized into different types, such as synthesis, decomposition, single replacement, double replacement, and combustion. The reaction of carbonic acid with lithium hydroxide is a double replacement reaction.
• Balancing chemical equations is a crucial step. It ensures the conservation of mass and atoms, which obeys the law of conservation of mass.
• Reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, and presence of catalysts can significantly affect the rate and outcome of chemical reactions.

Understanding the basics of chemical reactions, such as the one between carbonic acid and lithium hydroxide, is essential for studying chemistry. This knowledge helps to predict the products of reactions and allows one to understand the interplay between different chemicals during the reaction process.