QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Show how lithium forms an ion. Does it form a cation or an anion?
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Answer
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Step 1:: Identify the number of electrons and protons in a lithium atom.
Lithium (Li) is an element in the third period of the periodic table, meaning it has three electrons orbiting its nucleus and three protons in its nucleus. Its atomic number is 3, which indicates the number of protons it has.
Step 2:: Understand the concept of ion formation.
An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electric charge. Cations are positively charged ions, while anions are negatively charged ions.
Step 3:: Determine the charge of a lithium ion.
Lithium is a metal, so it tends to lose its outermost electron(s) to achieve a stable electron configuration. The stable electron configuration of helium (two electrons) is particularly desirable. Therefore, lithium loses its single 3s electron to form a 1 + cation.
Step 4:: Verify the charge of the lithium ion.
The charge of a lithium ion can be calculated as follows: \text{charge} = \text{number of protons} - \text{number of electrons} For a neutral lithium atom, the charge is: \text{charge} = 3 - 3 = 0 For a lithium ion (Li+), the charge is: \text{charge} = 3 - 2 = 1 +
Final Answer
Lithium forms a cation (Li+) by losing its outermost electron.
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