Why is Lithium a +1 ion and Chlorine a -1 ion?

The answer lies in how many electron there are in the outer shells of each of the elements and how many electrons they can get or give away to gain a fuller outer shell. Lithium has 1 electron in its outer shell and the inner shell has 2 electrons, therefore to gain a full outter shell it needs 7 more electrons but it easier for it to lose an elctron and become a 1+ ion and have a full outer shell of 2. where as Chlorine has 7 electrons on its outer shell and its easier for it to gain an elctron to become 1- rather than lose 7 to become 7+.

TD
Answered by Tutor381320 D. Chemistry tutor

16156 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

24 g of Magnesium reacts with 16 g of Oxygen to produce 40 g of magnesium oxide. What mass of magnesium would you need to produce 10 g of magnesium oxide?


Describe the difference between bonding in ionic structures and covalent molecules


How is poly(ethene) formed?


What are the differences between covalent bond and an ionic bond? And can you give an example of each?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning