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Lithium-Water Reaction
Accepted Answer
The reaction of lithium with water is a classic demonstration of a single-displacement reaction, where a more reactive metal displaces a less reactive metal from a compound. In this case, lithium is more reactive than hydrogen, so it displaces hydrogen from water, forming lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
The reaction is highly exothermic, releasing a large amount of heat and causing the water to boil. The hydrogen gas produced is flammable and can ignite spontaneously in air, so it is important to conduct this reaction in a well-ventilated area.
The overall reaction can be represented by the following equation:
2Li + 2H2O → 2LiOH + H2
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