Question

balance the following equation:

_li + _hf→_lif + _h₂

when the equation is properly balanced, the correct coefficients are, respectively

Explanation:

Step1: Balance hydrogen atoms

There are 2 hydrogen atoms in \(H_2\) on the right - hand side. So, we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of \(HF\) on the left - hand side. The equation becomes \(Li+2HF
ightarrow LiF + H_2\).

Step2: Balance fluorine atoms

Since we have 2 fluorine atoms in \(2HF\) on the left - hand side, we need to put a coefficient of 2 in front of \(LiF\) on the right - hand side. The equation is now \(Li + 2HF
ightarrow2LiF+H_2\).

Step3: Balance lithium atoms

We have 2 lithium atoms in \(2LiF\) on the right - hand side. So, we put a coefficient of 2 in front of \(Li\) on the left - hand side. The balanced equation is \(2Li+2HF
ightarrow2LiF + H_2\).

Answer:

2, 2, 2, 1