Answer :
Final answer:
Lithium atoms transfer their single valence electron to a nitrogen atom. Each lithium atom becomes a positively charged lithium cation (Li+), and the nitrogen atom becomes a negatively charged nitrogen anion (N3-), forming lithium nitride (Li3N).
Explanation:
When lithium and nitrogen combine, electron transfer occurs to form an ionic compound. Lithium, with its electron configuration 1s²2s¹1, has only one electron in its valence shell and aims to achieve a noble gas configuration similar to helium by losing this electron. Nitrogen, on the other hand, requires three additional electrons to achieve a noble gas configuration similar to neon. As such, three lithium atoms will each transfer their one valence electron to a single nitrogen atom. After this transfer, each lithium atom becomes a lithium cation (Li⁺) with a net positive charge of +1, while the nitrogen atom gains three electrons and becomes a nitrogen anion (N³⁻) with a net negative charge of -3. The lithium cations and the nitrogen anion are then attracted to each other due to the opposite charges, forming an ionic bond and resulting in the compound lithium nitride (Li3N).
