How can electronegativity be used to explain the reaction we see in terms of the numbers and types of bonded being formed in lithium?

Explanation:

Lithium is an electropositive element that readily loses electrons.

Oxygen is electronegative and it will readily accept electrons.

 Due to this significant electronegativity differences between the two species they form electrovalent or ionic bonds between them.

  2atoms of Li lose two electrons:

      Li  →  Li²⁺ + e⁻

             Lithium isoelectronic with helium

 For oxygen;

      O + 2e⁻   →  O²⁻

                          Oxygen is isoelectronic with Neon

Two ions of the lithium combines with the oxygen to form the bond;

                   4Li + O₂  →  2Li₂O

The electrostatic attraction between the two ions forms the ionic bond

you need to take a look at the periodic system in order to sort these elements into pairs that would most likely exhibit similar chemical properties. first, you need to find elements that are found in the same group (groups are vertical in the periodic system), and then to see whether they have the same valence number. if they meet these criteria, they will have similar properties.

the first pair: ne (neon) and kr (krypton), are noble gases found in group 8

the second pair: li (lithium) and k (potassium), found in group 1

the third pair: s (sulfur) and te (tellurium), found in group 6

tracks, burrows, eggshells, nests, tooth marks, or gastroliths