Learning Path
Question & Answer1
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Explore TopicChoose the Best Answer
A
Lithium has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s1 and produces a red flame color
B
Lithium has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s1 and produces a green flame color
C
Lithium has an electron configuration of 1s1 and produces a red flame color
D
Lithium has an electron configuration of 1s2 2s1 and produces a blue flame color
Understanding the Answer
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Answer
Lithium’s electron configuration ends with 1s² 2s¹, meaning it has one valence electron that can be easily lost. Because it has a single 2s electron, it behaves like the other alkali metals but with a much smaller atomic radius. When lithium is heated in a flame, that single electron is excited and then returns to its ground state, emitting light at a wavelength that appears crimson. Thus the true statement is that lithium has the configuration 1s² 2s¹ and its flame test produces a crimson color, as seen when a small piece of lithium is held in a flame and a bright red hue appears.
Detailed Explanation
Lithium’s atoms have two electrons in the 1s orbital and one in the 2s orbital. Other options are incorrect because The belief that lithium produces green light comes from mixing up sodium, which gives a yellow flame; Some think lithium only has one electron, forgetting the core 1s electrons.
Key Concepts
electron configuration
lithium (Li)
flame test colors
Topic
Alkali Metals
Difficulty
hard level question
Cognitive Level
understand
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