How many electrons are in a neutral atom of lithium?

The atomic number of lithium (Li) is 3. Therefore its atoms contain 3 protons. A neutral atom has equal numbers of protons and electrons, so a neutral Li atom also has 3 electrons. The electron configuration of Li is 1s22s1 . read more

Three. Since the atom is neutral the number of protons and electrons will be equivalent. Lithium is atomic number 3 indicating there are 3 protons in the element, hence three electrons. read more

Neutral elements must have the same number of protons as electrons, because an imbalance would not cancel out all charges. Lithium has an atomic number Z of 3, so by definition, it has 3 protons. Hence, neutral lithium atoms must contain 3 electrons. read more