Question

True statements for the chemical reaction of the formation of lithium oxide is:
$4Li\left(s\right)+O_2\left(g\right)\to 2L{i}_{2}O\left(s\right)$

• A. lithium metal is the oxidizing agent
• B. oxygen gas is the reducing agent
• C. lithium is oxidized
• D. oxygen is oxidized
• E. oxygen loses two electrons to become $O^{-2}$ ion

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

lithium is oxidized

The statement $\left(C\right)$ is the true statement for the chemical reaction of the formation of lithium oxide.
Lithium is oxidized. The oxidation number of lithium increases from 0 to +1.
$Li$ loses one electron to form $L{i}^{+}$ ion.
Thus $Li$ acts as reducing agent.
The oxidation number of oxygen decreases from 0 to -2.
Hence, oxygen is reduced and acts as oxidizing agent. Oxygen atom gains 2 electrons to form oxide ion.