Final answer:
The elements lithium (Li), carbon (C), and oxygen (O) should be arranged in order of increasing first ionization energy based on their position in the periodic table as Li, C, O, which is option e) Li, C, O.
Step-by-step explanation:
To arrange the elements lithium (Li), carbon (C), and oxygen (O) in order of increasing first ionization energy, we should consider their positions in the periodic table. Ionization energy generally increases across a period from left to right and decreases down a group. Lithium is an alkali metal located in Group 1, which means it has the lowest ionization energy because its single valence electron is easily removed. Carbon is in Group 14 and has a higher ionization energy than lithium because it has more protons, creating a stronger attraction to the valence electrons. Oxygen is in Group 16 and will have even more protons, meaning an even stronger attraction to its valence electrons, leading to the highest ionization energy among the three.
Therefore, the correct order from lowest to highest first ionization energy is lithium, carbon, and then oxygen, which corresponds to option e) Li, C, O.