lithium reacts with water?

Question

My classmates said that lithium could not react with water.
But if I really want it to react, can I add something to it?
Perhaps I overheard that they would add iodine......
Yet I am not sure. Suppose lithium is not reactive enough, right?/

To doctor Dave, are you sure? An elder student tells me and it is proved by other two students.

Answer 1

Hold on! Lithium metal is VERY REACTIVE with water. Remember where Lithium is on the periodic table. To make Lithium metal a lot of energy is poured into it and it will react explosively upon exposure to water. As with sodium, potasium, and the other Group 1A metals, you make hydrogen and the metal hydroxide.

Lithium is more than reactive enough to react with water.

Remember Lithium looses an electron (oxidation). If you exposed Lithium to Iodine it would be more reactive as Iodine wants to gain an electron (reduction) to a much greater extent than water does.

I suggest you brush up on the fundamental chemistry rather than just listen to uninformed classmates.

Answer 2

Lithium reacts explosively with water! But it is less explosive than sodium or potassium.

ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium

Edit: Perhaps they had not removed all the light parrafin from the surface of the metal before they exposed it to the water. Try cutting a >>>>SMALL<<<< piece out from the center of the lump and then stand behind a shield in a hood with the sash 3/4 down and drop that into a 1 liter beaker of water.

Answer 3

Lithium does react with water but not as violently as sodium or potassium. Reactivity of the Group IA metals increases as you go down the periodic table. Considering it is at the top of the group it is the least reactive and it reacts with water at a much slower rate.

Answer 4

Lithium reacts quite calmly with water, as long as the lump is small enough. It has to be clean. Unlike the other metals in Group 1 (Na, K, Rb, Cs) it does not melt, but, since it is less dense than water, the piece of metal will float and fizz gently.
The solution will become alkaline. The flame will not self-ignite, but, if lit, you will see the flame coloured a beautiful red colour.

2Li + 2H2O ----> 2LiOH + H2

Answer 5

Lithium does react with water, though not very violently. You can take a petri dish half filled with water, and slowly drop small freshly cut shards of Lithium. (stand back, wear goggles). It will fizz and pop about with sparks.
Lithium Hydroxide is generated.

Answer 6

Lithium is definately reactive with water - I've seen it in my chemistry classes years ago. Yet its reactivity pales in comparison with the other group 1 metals such as potassium and sodium.

Whatever you do, I recommend you don't try caesium...

Answer 7

Lithium reacts calmly with water forming Lithium hydroxide & Hydrogen.

chemical rxn:-

2Li + 2H2O ==> 2LiOH + H2

Answer 8

Lithium metal is not unreactive with water. In fact, your best to try it in very very small amounts. Please be careful. And don't go around just adding chemicals together you'll get yourself hurt.