Select the most likely product for this reaction:
[tex]LiOH ( aq )+ HNO _3( aq ) \rightarrow[/tex] ?
A. [tex]CO _2(g)+ H _2 O ( l )[/tex]
B. [tex]LiNO _3( aq )+ H _2 O ( l )[/tex]
C. [tex]LINO _3( aq )+ H _2(g)+ O _2(g)[/tex]
Answer (2)
The reaction is a neutralization between L i O H and H N O 3 .
Neutralization reactions produce a salt and water.
The salt formed is L i N O 3 .
The most likely product is L i N O 3 ( a q ) + H 2 O ( l ) .
L i N O 3 ( a q ) + H 2 O ( l )
Explanation
Problem Analysis We are given the reaction between L i O H ( a q ) and H N O 3 ( a q ) and asked to predict the most likely products.
Recognizing the Reaction Type This is a neutralization reaction between a strong base, lithium hydroxide ( L i O H ), and a strong acid, nitric acid ( H N O 3 ). Neutralization reactions typically produce a salt and water.
Identifying the Products The salt formed will consist of the cation from the base ( L i + ) and the anion from the acid ( N O 3 − ), resulting in lithium nitrate ( L i N O 3 ). The other product is water ( H 2 O ). Therefore, the balanced reaction is: L i O H ( a q ) + H N O 3 ( a q ) → L i N O 3 ( a q ) + H 2 O ( l )
Eliminating Unlikely Products The other options are less likely:
C O 2 ( g ) + H 2 O ( l ) would require a carbon-containing reactant, which is not present in the given reactants.
L i N O 3 ( a q ) + H 2 ( g ) + O 2 ( g ) would involve redox chemistry and the formation of hydrogen and oxygen gas, which is not typical for a simple neutralization reaction.
Conclusion Therefore, the most likely product is lithium nitrate and water.
Examples
Neutralization reactions are essential in many real-world applications. For example, they are used in antacids to neutralize excess stomach acid, in wastewater treatment to adjust pH levels, and in chemical manufacturing to produce various salts. Understanding neutralization reactions helps us predict the products and control the outcomes in these processes. For instance, if a soil is too acidic for a particular crop, we can add a base like lime (calcium hydroxide) to neutralize the acidity and make the soil more suitable for plant growth. The reaction between the acid and base produces a salt and water, improving the soil's pH.
The reaction between lithium hydroxide and nitric acid results in lithium nitrate and water, represented by the equation L i O H ( a q ) + H N O 3 ( a q ) → L i N O 3 ( a q ) + H 2 O ( l ) . The correct answer from the options provided is B. L i N O 3 ( a q ) + H 2 O ( l ) .
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