Lithium Protons Neutrons Electrons (And How to Find them?)

Lithium has 3 protons, 4 neutrons and 3 electrons.

But how will you find the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in Lithium (Li)?

Well, it is very easy to find the protons, neutrons and electrons of lithium atom.

Here I have given a very simple method for finding the protons, neutrons and electrons of lithium atom.

Let’s dive right into it!

Finding the Protons, Neutrons and Electrons in Lithium

How to find protons?

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom. ^[1]

How to find neutrons?

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.

How to find electrons?

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.

Let’s calculate the number of protons, neutrons and electrons in lithium.

If you don’t want to read, then you can also watch this video.

#1 Number of Protons in Lithium

If you have a periodic table with you, then most of the answers are in front of you.

You can see the elements, their atomic number and their atomic mass from the periodic table.

Now here our element is Lithium (Li).

So from the above periodic table, you can see that the atomic number of lithium is 3.

As the atomic number of lithium is 3, it has a total of 3 protons in its nucleus.

Thus, the number of protons in Lithium is 3.

#2 Number of Neutrons in Lithium

In order to find the number of neutrons of lithium atom, you should know its atomic mass first.

The number of neutrons in lithium can be obtained by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.

The atomic mass of lithium is 6.94 u (which you can round it to 7). ^[3]

So from this atomic mass (i.e 7), you have to subtract its atomic number (i.e 3).

So you will get 7 – 3 = 4.

Thus, the number of neutrons in Lithium is 4.

#3 Number of Electrons in Lithium

For a neutral atom, the number of electrons and the number of protons are the same.

Here, the lithium atom is a neutral atom.

So the number of electrons in lithium is equal to its number of protons (which is also equal to its atomic number).

In the beginning, we have found that the number of protons in lithium is 3.

Thus, the number of electrons in Lithium is 3.

Summary

Number of Protons in Lithium

• The number of protons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Protons in Lithium = Atomic number of Lithium = 3

Number of Neutrons in Lithium

• The number of neutrons can be found by subtracting the atomic number from its atomic mass.
• Number of Neutrons in Lithium = Atomic mass of Lithium – Atomic number of Lithium = 7 – 3 = 4

Number of Electrons in Lithium

• For a neutral atom, the number of electrons can be found by knowing the atomic number of that atom.
• Number of Electrons in Lithium = Atomic number of Lithium = 3

I hope you have understood the simple method for finding the protons, neutrons and electrons of lithium atom.

Check out related topics for more practice;
Beryllium protons neutrons electrons
Sodium protons neutrons electrons
Magnesium protons neutrons electrons
Potassium protons neutrons electrons
Calcium protons neutrons electrons