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Multiple Choice
Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for lithium oxide?
A
Li2O
B
LiO
C
Li2O2
D
LiO2
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify the charges of the ions involved. Lithium (Li) is an alkali metal in Group 1, so it forms a +1 charge ion: Li⁺.
Step 2: Determine the charge of the oxide ion. Oxygen typically gains two electrons to form the oxide ion O²⁻ with a -2 charge.
Step 3: Balance the total positive and negative charges to form a neutral compound. Since lithium has a +1 charge and oxide has a -2 charge, you need two lithium ions to balance one oxide ion.
Step 4: Write the chemical formula by combining the ions in the ratio that balances the charges: two Li⁺ ions for every one O²⁻ ion, resulting in Li₂O.
Step 5: Verify that the formula is electrically neutral by checking that the total positive charge (+2 from two Li⁺) equals the total negative charge (-2 from one O²⁻).