Question

what is the balanced chemical equation occurring when lithium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric acid? li₂co₃(s) + 2hcl(aq) → 2licl(aq) + h₂co₃(aq) lico₃(s) + hcl(aq) → licl(aq) + hco₃⁻(aq) li₂co₃(s) + 2hcl(aq) → 2licl(aq) + h₂o(l) + co₂(g)

Explanation:

1. First, recall the reaction of carbonates with acids: Carbonates react with strong acids to produce a salt, water, and carbon dioxide gas.
2. Analyze the formula of lithium carbonate: Lithium has a +1 charge, carbonate has a -2 charge, so the formula is $\ce{Li2CO3}$.
3. Analyze the reaction products: When $\ce{Li2CO3}$ (lithium carbonate) reacts with $\ce{HCl}$ (hydrochloric acid, a strong acid), the reaction should produce lithium chloride ($\ce{LiCl}$), water ($\ce{H2O}$), and carbon dioxide ($\ce{CO2}$).
4. Check the first option: $\ce{H2CO3}$ (carbonic acid) is unstable and decomposes into $\ce{H2O}$ and $\ce{CO2}$, so this reaction as written is not the final balanced reaction for the reaction of a carbonate with a strong acid.
5. Check the second option: The formula for lithium carbonate is incorrect (should be $\ce{Li2CO3}$, not $\ce{LiCO3}$), and the product $\ce{HCO3-}$ is not the main product of the reaction between a carbonate and a strong acid (it would be more relevant for a reaction with a weak acid or in a different context).
6. Check the third option: The formula for lithium carbonate is $\ce{Li2CO3}$, the reaction with $\ce{2HCl}$ produces $\ce{2LiCl}$ (to balance lithium and chlorine), $\ce{H2O}$, and $\ce{CO2}$ (since carbonic acid decomposes). The atoms are balanced:

• Lithium: 2 on left ($\ce{Li2CO3}$), 2 on right ($\ce{2LiCl}$)
• Carbon: 1 on left ($\ce{Li2CO3}$), 1 on right ($\ce{CO2}$)
• Oxygen: 3 on left ($\ce{Li2CO3}$), 1 (from $\ce{H2O}$) + 2 (from $\ce{CO2}$) = 3 on right
• Hydrogen: 2 on left ($\ce{2HCl}$), 2 on right ($\ce{H2O}$)
• Chlorine: 2 on left ($\ce{2HCl}$), 2 on right ($\ce{2LiCl}$)

Answer:

$\ce{Li2CO3(s) + 2HCl(aq) -> 2LiCl(aq) + H2O(l) + CO2(g)}$ (the third option)