Question

write a chemical equation representing the second ionization energy for lithium.?

Answer 1

Li+ --> Li2+ + 1e-

Answer 2

Hmm.. thank you. This is the same answer I keep getting but every time I put it in I am being told it is wrong. I wonder if I am typing it in wrong??

Answer 3

It's likely what's wanted is\[{\rm Li} \rightarrow {\rm Li}^{2+} + 2 e^-\]The reason is because IEs are usually reported from the neutral atom, that is, IE2 is the energy required to remove two electrons from a neutral Li atom, as above, rather than the additional energy required to remove one more electron from an Li+ cation.