Here's why:
* Lithium's electron configuration: Lithium has an electron configuration of 1s²2s¹. This means it has 3 electrons: two in the 1s orbital and one in the 2s orbital.
* Valence electron: The outermost electron (in the 2s orbital) is the valence electron, and it's the one most easily removed.
* Ionization: When lithium loses its valence electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (Li+) with a stable electron configuration like helium (1s²).
Therefore, the electron transferred from the lithium atom to form the Li+ ion comes from the 2s orbital.