Determine the acid and base that were neutralized to produce each of the following salts. Li2CO3 (aq).

I don't understand how to solve this.

H2 CO3 + Li OH

acid + base = salt + water

H+ ions are acid

OH- ions are base

so we have a pot with H+ and OH- ions

we also have CO3-- ions
and Li+ ions

so we really have H2CO3 and LiOH

carbonic acid and Lithium hydroxide

H2CO3 + 2LiOH --> Li2CO3 + 2H2O

To determine the acid and base that were neutralized to produce a given salt, we need to understand the concept of a salt and its components.

A salt is an ionic compound composed of a positively charged cation (from a base) and a negatively charged anion (from an acid). When an acid and a base react, they undergo a neutralization reaction, resulting in the formation of a salt and water.

In the case of Li2CO3 (aq), we have a salt composed of Li+ cation and CO3 2- anion. To determine the acid and base involved, we need to identify the corresponding ions.

The Li+ cation comes from the base, which is lithium hydroxide (LiOH). Lithium hydroxide is a strong base that dissociates completely in water to produce Li+ and OH- ions.

The CO3 2- anion comes from the acid, which is carbonic acid (H2CO3). Carbonic acid is a weak acid that is not commonly found in a free state. Instead, it exists primarily as a dissolved gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), which can dissolve in water to form carbonic acid.

Therefore, the acid and base that were neutralized to produce Li2CO3 (aq) are:

Base: Lithium hydroxide (LiOH)
Acid: Carbonic acid (H2CO3)

In summary, the acid-base neutralization reaction between lithium hydroxide and carbonic acid formed Li2CO3 (aq).