Question #b5e26

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Meave60
Mar 2, 2015

The ionic compound formed by lithium and oxygen is lithium oxide, which is composed of lithium ions, #"Li"^+"#, and oxide ions, #"O"^(2-)#. The formula unit for lithium oxide is #"Li"_2"O"#.

Lithium atoms have one valence electron, whereas oxygen atoms have six. Lithium atoms tend to give up their single valence electrons, and oxygen tends to gain two valence electrons from other atoms, like lithium. They do this so they will have filled valence shells.

During the formation of #"Li"_2"O"#, #"Li"# atoms transfer their single valence electrons to #"O"# atoms, forming two #"Li"^+"# ions for every individual #"O"^(2-)# ion. The electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bonds.

#"4Li"# + #"O"_2# #rarr# #"4Li"^+"# + #"2O"^(2-)"# #rarr# #"2Li"_2"O"#

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