Use the diagram of the lithium (upper L i) atom to answer the question.

Question

Information
The Lithium atom has 2 energy levels. The outer energy level has 1 electron. The inner energy level has 2 electrons. 3 protons and 4 neutrons are in the center.

Question
If this atom lost an electron, what would the charge be on the resulting ion?

Answer options with 4 options
A.
negative 2

B.
negative 1

C.
positive 1

D.
positive 2

Answer 1

To determine the charge of the lithium atom after it loses an electron, we need to consider the initial charge of the atom.

1. A neutral lithium atom has:
   • 3 protons (which are positively charged)
   • 3 electrons (which are negatively charged)

Since the number of protons and electrons is equal, the overall charge of the neutral lithium atom is 0.

2. If the lithium atom loses 1 electron, it will have:
   • 3 protons (still positive)
   • 2 electrons (after losing one)

Now the balance of charge is as follows:

• Total positive charge from protons = +3
• Total negative charge from electrons = -2

3. To find the resulting charge: \[ \text{Total charge} = 3 , (\text{protons}) - 2 , (\text{electrons}) = +1 \]

Thus, the resulting ion will have a charge of positive 1.

The answer is C. positive 1.