Question

An atom of lithium (Li) and an atom of chlorine (Cl) engage in a chemical reaction.

Which correctly describes the structure of the resulting chemical compound?
Hint: Consider the class of each element.

The chemical compound will have double bonds.
The chemical compound will have a network structure.
The chemical compound will have a ball-and-stick structure.
The chemical compound will have triple bonds.

Answer 1

the resulting compound is Li+ -------- Cl- in a crystalline lattice structure.

so first choice is wrong as its not a double bond

third choice is wrong as its not a ball-and-stick

fourth choick is also wrong as its not a triple bond

correct ans is The chemical compound will have a network structure.

Answer 2

Answer:

The chemical compound will have a network structure.

Explanation:

Li loses one electron to form Li⁺ cation and Cl gains one electron to form Cl⁻ anion. Li⁺ and Cl⁻ experience an electrostatic force of attraction forming an ionic bond. LiCl forms a 3D array of alternating Li⁺ cation and Cl⁻ anion such that the opposite charges balance each other.  

LiCl exists in a crystalline lattice, where each Li⁺ has a coordination number of 6, or Li⁺ is surrounded by 6 Cl⁻ ions.  The lattice of LiCl is called face centered cubic.