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What type of bond would occur between lithium (Li) and oxygen (O)?

A. Covalent bond
B. Paired bond
C. Metallic bond
D. Ionic bond

User Jaylene
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1 Answer

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Answer:

D. Ionic bond

Step-by-step explanation:

First some definitions: ionic bonds always have metals that transfer electrons. Covalent bonds are between nonmetals that share electrons. (Sharing is caring!)

Li is a metal, so right off the bat we know this is not a covalent bond. However, it's not a metal, so we can cross off C as well. The phrase "paired bond" isn't common, so we know the answer must be D. ionic bond.

And in this bond, Li's electrons will transfer to O to make both have a full valence shell. (As opposed to covalent bonds, which share electrons, not transfer completely.)

User Jinet
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