Multiple Choice
Lithium forms ions and oxygen forms ions. Can a stable ionic compound be made from lithium and oxygen, and if so, what is its correct formula unit?
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5. Molecules and Compounds
Writing Formula Units of Ionic Compounds
Multiple Choice
In the ionic compound aluminum oxide, which species is the cation?
A
(oxygen molecule)
B
(neutral aluminum atom)
C
D
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the two species involved in the compound: aluminum (Al) and oxygen (O).
Recall that in ionic compounds, the cation is the positively charged ion and the anion is the negatively charged ion.
Determine the typical charges of aluminum and oxygen ions: aluminum commonly forms a +3 charge (Al^{3+}), and oxygen commonly forms a -2 charge (O^{2-}).
Recognize that aluminum loses electrons to become a cation, while oxygen gains electrons to become an anion.
Conclude that in aluminum oxide, the cation is the aluminum ion (Al^{3+}) because it carries the positive charge.
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