QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
What is the most common ion charge for lithium, Li?
A. + 1
B. + 2
C. - 1
D. - 2
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step following the specified LaTeX formatting guidelines:
Step 2:: Understand the Element
Lithium ($$\text{Li}$$) is an alkali metal located in Group 1 (Column 1) of the periodic table.
Elements in this group typically form ions with a specific charge.
Step 3:: Determine Electron Configuration
Lithium's electron configuration is $$1s^{2}2s^{1}$$.
This means it has 3 total electrons, with 1 electron in its outer shell.
Step 4:: Predict Ion Formation
Alkali metals tend to lose their single outer shell electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. When lithium loses this electron, it becomes a positively charged ion.
Step 5:: Calculate Ion Charge
By losing 1 electron, lithium forms an ion with a charge of $$+1$$.
Step 6:: Verify Against Answer Choices
Comparing the result to the given options, $$+1$$ corresponds to option A.
Final Answer
The most common ion charge for lithium is + 1, which occurs when the atom loses its single outer shell electron to achieve a stable electron configuration.
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