Will lithium and sulfur form an ionic bond or a covalent bond? Explain.

Lithium and sulfur will form an ionic bond. This is primarily due to the differences in their electronegativities and the types of elements they are.

Lithium, with an atomic number of 3, is an alkali metal. It has one electron in its outermost shell, which it readily loses to achieve a stable electronic configuration similar to that of noble gases. When lithium loses this electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (Li⁺).

On the other hand, sulfur, with an atomic number of 16, is a non-metal and has six electrons in its outermost shell. To reach a stable configuration, sulfur tends to gain two electrons, forming a negatively charged ion (S^2-).

When lithium and sulfur react, lithium donates its single outer electron to sulfur. This transfer of electrons results in the formation of Li⁺ and S^2- ions. The oppositely charged ions attract each other, resulting in an ionic bond. Therefore, the combination of lithium and sulfur leads to the formation of lithium sulfide (Li₂S) through this ionic bonding process.