Answer:
There are 2 lithium atoms in the ionic compound lithium oxide, Li₂O
Step-by-step explanation:
The charge of ions formed by lithium = 1⁺
The charge of ions formed by oxygen = 2⁻
In the ionic compound lithium oxide having 1 atom of oxygen, we have;
For the compound to be electronically neutral, the sum of the charges of the atoms in the ionic compound is zero
The charge of 1 atom of oxygen in the lithium oxide compound + The charge of the 'n' number of lithium atoms in the lithium oxide compound = 0
∴ 2⁻ + n × 1⁺ = 0
n × 1⁺ = 0 - 2⁻ = 2⁺
n = 2⁺/(1⁺) = 2
n = 2
The number of lithium atoms in the lithium oxide compound, n = 2
Therefore, there are two lithium atoms in the ionic lithium oxide (Li₂O) compound