Answer:
A lithium atom has 3 protons and 3 electrons. It can lose one of its electrons, making it an ion. It now has more positive protons than electrons so it has an overall positive charge. Therefore it is a positive ion.
Explanation:
Lithium, an alkali metal with three electrons, is also an exception to the octet rule. Lithium tends to lose one electron to take on the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas, helium, leaving it with two valence electrons.
