Question

Lithium salts contain a lithium atom that is missing one valence electron (and therefore bears a positive charge). Choose the correct lewis structure of the lithium cation.

Answer 1

Li⁺

Step-by-step explanation:

The atomic number of lithium is 3, which means that it has 3 protons and 3 electrons. The electron configuration is [He] 2s¹ and its Lewis structure is Li·

When lithium loses an electron to form lithium cation, its Lewis structue is Li⁺ and it acquires the electron configuration of Helium: 1s².

Answer 2

The atomic number of lithium (Li) is 3.

Thus, its electronic configuration is : 1s^{2}2s^{1}.

Lithium cation is formed when lithium atom loses one of its valence electon.

Hence, [Li+] = 1s^{2}

∴ Lewis dot structure of Li is :

Li ·

and lewis dot structure of Lithium cation is:

[Li]+