Question

How many electrons are in a neutral lithium atom?

Answer 1

The protons are the positively charged entities of an atom and the electrons are the negatively charged ones. If the atom is neutral then the number of electrons and the number of protons will be equal as they balance the charges.

Complete step by step answer:
Let us discuss the protons and electrons in detail to answer the illustration;
- Protons-
The atomic number showcases the number of protons present in the nucleus of an atom. These are the positive entities of an atom present in the nucleus along with either equal or sometimes unequal number of neutrons.
- Electrons-
These are the revolving negative entities of an atom distributed along the shells of the same. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons and protons will be equal.
Now, moving towards the illustration;
Given that,
As, the given atom is a neutral entity thus, as described above the number of electrons and protons will be equal.
Number of electrons = Number of protons = Atomic number of Li = 3

Note: Do note that the number of protons can never be changed even if the isotopes of an element exist. The presence of isotopes only hampers the number of neutrons and thus, mass number of an atom.
And only ionisation of an atom can hamper the number of electrons but not the number of protons.