LiBr is an ionic compound because when the metal combines with nonmetal, it usually forms an ionic compound. Here, Li is a metal and Br is a nonmetal. So when they combine, it forms an ionic compound.
Well, now you have got to know that LiBr is an ionic compound, but let me explain the in-depth reason why LiBr is an ionic compound.
Why is LiBr an ionic compound?
As mentioned above, you can simply remember that when the metal combines with nonmetal, the bond between them is an ionic bond.
Here in LiBr, the Li atom is a metal and the Br atom is a nonmetal.
Hence the bond between them is an ionic bond.
How does the ionic bond form between Li and Br?
In LiBr, there are two atoms;
Li and Br.
About Lithium (Li):
Lithium atom have 3 electrons.
The electrons arrangement in Lithium (Li) is 2, 1.
So the outermost orbit of a Lithium atom has 1 electron.
Now Lithium is a metal and the metals are highly electropositive (that means they have the tendency to lose electrons and become positive ions.)
Hence during the chemical reaction, the Lithium atom will lose 1 electron to form a stable duplet.
About Bromine (Br):
Bromine atom have 35 electrons.
The electrons arrangement in Bromine (Br) is 2, 8, 18, 7.
So the outermost orbit of Bromine atom has 7 electrons.
Now Bromine is a nonmetal and the nonmetals are highly electronegative (that means they have the tendency to gain electrons and become negative ions.)
Hence during the chemical reaction, the Bromine atom will gain 1 electron to form a stable octet.
What happens when Li and Br combine?
When Li and Br combine with each other, the electron transfer takes place from Lithium atom to Bromine atom (i.e from Li to Br).
In other words, the Lithium atom (Li) loses 1 electron and the Bromine atom (Br) gains 1 electron.
Due to this, Lithium becomes a positive ion (Li+) and Bromine becomes a negative ion (Br–).
Now because of the positive charge of Lithium ion and negative charge of Bromine ion, the electrostatic force of attraction is produced between them.
This electrostatic force between Lithium ion and Bromine ion results in an ionic bond between them.
Hence, LiBr is an ionic compound.
I hope you have understood the reason why LiBr is an ionic compound.
Check out other compounds to see whether they are ionic or covalent;
Is NaOH Ionic or Covalent?
Is HBr Ionic or Covalent?
Is LiF Ionic or Covalent?
Is MgSO4 Ionic or Covalent?
Is LiCl Ionic or Covalent?
Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. With a desire to make learning accessible for everyone, he founded Knords Learning, an online learning platform that provides students with easily understandable explanations.
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