(a) When the metallic element lithium combines with the nonmetallic element chlorine, Cl2(g), what is the chemical formula of the product? (b) In the balanced chemical equation for this reaction, what is the coefficient in front of the product if the coefficient in front of Cl2(g) is 1?

Verified step by step guidance

Identify the valency of lithium (Li) and chlorine (Cl). Lithium is in Group 1 and has a valency of +1, while chlorine is in Group 17 and has a valency of -1.

Determine the chemical formula of the compound formed by lithium and chlorine. Since lithium has a +1 charge and chlorine has a -1 charge, they combine in a 1:1 ratio to form LiCl.

Write the unbalanced chemical equation for the reaction: Li(s) + Cl_2(g) → LiCl.

Balance the chemical equation. Since Cl_2 contains two chlorine atoms, you need two LiCl to balance the chlorine atoms: 2 Li(s) + Cl_2(g) → 2 LiCl.

Identify the coefficient in front of the product LiCl in the balanced equation. The coefficient is 2.

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Ionic Bonding

Ionic bonding occurs when a metal and a nonmetal react to form a compound through the transfer of electrons. In this case, lithium (Li), a metal, donates an electron to chlorine (Cl), a nonmetal, resulting in the formation of lithium ions (Li+) and chloride ions (Cl-). The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions leads to the formation of the ionic compound lithium chloride (LiCl).

Chemical Formula

A chemical formula represents the composition of a compound using symbols for the elements and numerical subscripts to indicate the number of atoms of each element. For lithium chloride, the formula is LiCl, indicating one lithium atom and one chlorine atom in the compound. Understanding how to derive the chemical formula from the elements involved is crucial for identifying the product of a chemical reaction.

Balancing Chemical Equations

Balancing chemical equations ensures that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, adhering to the law of conservation of mass. In the reaction between lithium and chlorine, if the coefficient in front of Cl2 is 1, the balanced equation will show that two lithium atoms react with one molecule of chlorine gas to produce two formula units of lithium chloride, resulting in the coefficient of 2 in front of LiCl.

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