_Li + __F2 → _LIF
How do I balance this?

 2Li   +   F₂    →    2LiF

Explanation:

The reaction expression is given as:

          Li   +   F₂    →     LiF

We are to balance the expression. In that case, the number of atoms on both sides of the expression must be the same.

 Let use a mathematical approach to solve this problem;

  Assign variables a,b and c as the coefficients that will balance the expression:

             aLi   +  bF₂    →     cLiF

Conserving Li: a  = c

                   F:  2b  = c

          let a = 1, c  = 1 and b  =  

  Multiply through by 2;

        a  = 2, b = 1 and c  = 2

               2Li   +   F₂    →    2LiF

> b takes place in the gas phase in an isothermal tubular reactor. the feed is one mole of a per one mole of c, an inert. the entering temperature and pressure are 427°c and 10 atm, respectively. the gas constant r = 0.08206 atm · l/mol · k.