Question
Question: What is the chemical formula for lithium hydroxide?...
What is the chemical formula for lithium hydroxide?
Solution
Lithium hydroxide is a compound in which three elements are present, i.e., lithium, hydrogen, and oxygen. The lithium can form a positive ion because the lithium has one valence electron and there is a negative charge on the hydroxyl ion.
Complete answer:
In ionic compounds, the elements are combined to form to stabilize the ionic charge like a cation and an anion. These ions should stabilize the ionic charge by multiplying the number, like if the cation has +2 charge and the anion has -1 then, the compound will have one cation and two anions.
The given compound is lithium hydroxide. Lithium hydroxide is a compound in which three elements are present, i.e., lithium, hydrogen, and oxygen. This is also an ionic compound in which two ions are involved, i.e., lithium-ion and hydroxyl ions. The lithium can form a positive ion because the lithium has one valence electron and it is an element of group 1 (alkali metals) and there is a negative charge on the hydroxyl ion.
Since the charges on both the ions are the same, so the formula will be LiOH. These are formed as:
Li++OH−→LiOH
The lithium hydroxide is formed when the lithium reacts with water to form lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas is evolved. The reaction is given below:
Li(s)+H2O(l)→LiOH(aq)+21H2(g)↑
It is a strong base and it is the weakest known metal hydroxide.
Note:
There are many uses of lithium hydroxide like in batteries known as lithium-ion batteries, as lubricating grease due to high resistance to water, in ceramics, and in Portland cement.