How many electrons are in a neutral lithium atom?

1 Answer
Truong-Son N.
Jan 18, 2016

An element's charge experiences major contributions from protons and electrons, which effectively have charges of #+1# and #-1#, respectively.

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.

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