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*members of the alkali metal family of column IA
It explodes!
The alkali metals (lithium (Li), sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), and cesium (Cs)) are very strong reducing agents. In other words, the elements very much want to get rid of 1 electron so that it will have the noble gas configuration (of the noble gas with atomic number one less than the alkali metal). For instance, when you add sodium metal to water, the sodium gives up one electron to water to form OH- and H2 gas. The reaction is identical for all the elements in the first column of the Periodic Table (Just replace "Na" in the equation with the symbol for the other element).
Here is the reaction:
2Na + H2O --> 2Na+ + 2OH- + H2
The electron is being lost by the sodium metal (it is oxidized) and it is being gained by the hydrogen. The oxidation state of Na metal is 0, but Na+ is produced with an oxidation state of 1. The oxidation state of H in water is 1, but in H2, the oxidation state is 0. The oxidation state of oxygen is not changed in the reaction.
The reaction becomes more violent for elements lower in that group (Li < Na < K < Rb < Cs). Adding these elements to water will often cause an explosion due to the extremely exothermic nature of the reaction, and is thus extremely dangerous. In fact, some alkali metals will react violently just with moisture in the air! Also, these reactions produce hydrogen gas, which is quite flammable.
See the Web Links for more information, and make sure to watch the impressive videos of massive explosions due to sodium added to water! KA-BOOM!!!
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoBoom
A violent reaction: hydrogen and potassium hydroxide results from this reaction.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoIt either explodes or bursts up in to flames.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agothe lithium react with the water and explodes and if u have lithium on your hand and wash your hands your hands will just blow off
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoIt reacts with the water, producing heat and H2 (hydrogen gas)
In some cases, this combination of products lead to explosions (hydrogen gas is combustible)
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoIt explodes!
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What Happens when Hydrofluoric acid solution is reacted with a lithium hydroxide solution?
You get a very violent reaction (so don't do this), and you're left with lithium fluoride and water.
What happens when lithium sodium potassium rubidium and caesium reacts with cold water?
They react pretty violently with water. These elements have 1 valence electron with makes them very reactive. When they are put in the water they split the water molecule into Hydrogen gas and NaOH or LiOH, etc. Lithium, sodium and potassium while violent reactions are pretty mellow compared to the reactions of Rubidium, Cesium and Francium. Search google video for cesium reaction with water and you will see what i mean.
How do you quench n- butyl lithium?
Lithium + 1-chlorobutane ---> n-nuthyllithium + lithium chloride
How dense is lithium?
Denser than water. The density of Lithium is approxiametely 0.534g/cm3.
Is lithium iodide soluble in acetone?
Yes, to an extent of about one-fifth of the (high) solubility of lithium iodide in water.
Will lithium sink or float in water?
Lithium will react violently with water. Do not put it in water
What happens when a lithium ion reaches a cathode?
The lithium ion is reduced to an atom of metallic lithium. (If liquid water is in contact with the cathode, however, each lithium atom will react very rapidly with water and become a lithium ion again, releasing hydrogen to the atmosphere.)
What happens when lithium comes into contact with water?
Lithium, like other alklai metals, reacts pretty violently with water. The reaction is 2Li + 2H2O ==>2LiOH + H2(g)
What happens to the hydrogen atom of the HCl molecule when placed in water?
The hydrogen will dissolve
What happens when strontium and lithium go into water?
Strontium and lithium dissolves in water forming the corresponding hydroxide and liberating hydrogen. However the reaction is exothermic and may cause explosion / fire.
What Happens when Hydrofluoric acid solution is reacted with a lithium hydroxide solution?
You get a very violent reaction (so don't do this), and you're left with lithium fluoride and water.
What happens when lithium reacts with potassium hydroxide?
There will be no reaction between the lithium and the potassium hydroxide. However, since the potassium hydroxide is in solution, the lithium will still react with the water to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. 2Li + H2O --> H2 + LiOH.
What happens when you put together lithium and nitric acid?
It'd create Lithium nitrate and Water and CO2 I'd imagine. It'd also be irreversible in the sense that when CO2 leaves the water (gas) it cannot react
What is the action of lithium on water?
Lithium react violent with water and lithium hydroxide and hydrogen are formed.
Is there any proving fact that lithium is more reactive than other metals?
Throw it in water and see what happens :)
Why is lithium chloride insoluble in water?
You are misinformed, Lithium Chloride IS soluble in water.
What happens if you put Mentos in tap water?
Nothing noteworthy happens if mentos are put in tap water; they simply dissolve slowly.
