Chem help. Please confirm my answer?

Question

Li + O2 ---> Li2O --> 2Li2O

to balance left side

2Li + O2 ---> Li2O --> 2Li2O

Is this correct?

Answer 1

no, not quite...

since you had 2 oxygen on the left, there has to be 2 oxygen on the right...so the two in front of the lithium oxide is right!  that means that you will get two more lithiums on the right, though, so you need FOUR lithiums on the left!

final equation:  4Li + O2 ---> 2Li2O

Answer 2

Just write 4Li + O2 --> 2Li2O

2Li + O2 --> 2Li2O is not balanced

You have 2 Li on the left side and 4Li on the right side