Which ion does lithium form?

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Multiple Choice

Which ion does lithium form?

Explanation:
Lithium forms a +1 ion because it has one electron in its outer shell that it can lose to achieve a stable electron arrangement like a noble gas. By losing that single outer electron, lithium becomes Li+ with a full inner shell (1s2), which is energetically favorable. Losing two or three electrons would require a lot more energy, and gaining electrons to become Li− is not typical for lithium. In compounds, lithium almost always exists as Li+.

Lithium forms a +1 ion because it has one electron in its outer shell that it can lose to achieve a stable electron arrangement like a noble gas. By losing that single outer electron, lithium becomes Li+ with a full inner shell (1s2), which is energetically favorable. Losing two or three electrons would require a lot more energy, and gaining electrons to become Li− is not typical for lithium. In compounds, lithium almost always exists as Li+.

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