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Atomic Structure

The Ionic Bond formation for Lithium Oxide.

Lithium is in group 1 of the periodic table.
A lithium atom will lose 1 electron to form a stable 1⁺ ion.

Oxygen is in group 6 of the periodic table.
An oxygen atom will gain 2 electrons to form a stable 2^- ion.

In this example the electrons are shown as dots and crosses.

Two lithium atoms will each give one electron to the oxygen atom.
The atoms become ions.

The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions
forms the ionic bond between lithium and oxygen.
The formula for lithium oxide is Li₂O.

lithium + oxygen  lithium oxide.
4Li_(s)  +  O_2(g)             2Li₂O_(s)

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