Final answer:
The name 'lithide' for the cation of lithium is incorrect. The correct naming convention for the positively charged lithium ion is simply 'lithium ion' or 'Li+'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that lithide is the name of the cation formed when lithium loses an electron is false. When lithium loses an electron, it forms a cation, which is simply called a lithium ion, represented as Li+. The cation is named after the element, and since lithium is in Group 1 of the periodic table, it forms a cation by losing one electron.
Cations are positive ions formed by the loss of one or more electrons from a neutral atom. The resulting positive charge is indicated with a superscript following the chemical symbol of the element. In the case of lithium, when it loses its single valence electron, it achieves the electron configuration of the noble gas preceding it (helium), which makes Li+ energetically stable.
It's important to note that the convention for naming anions involves changing the ending of the element's name to '-ide', not cations. For example, the anion formed when fluorine gains an electron is called fluoride, not fluorine ion. Therefore, the correct name for the cation of lithium is the lithium ion.