How many protons and neutrons does lithium have?

The correct answer and explanation is:

Correct Answer:
Lithium has 3 protons and typically 4 neutrons in its most common isotope.


Explanation (300 words)

Atoms are composed of three main subatomic particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. The number of protons in an atom determines the element’s identity and is called the atomic number. For lithium (chemical symbol Li), the atomic number is 3, which means every lithium atom has 3 protons.

Protons are positively charged particles located in the nucleus of an atom. Since atoms are electrically neutral overall, lithium also has 3 electrons, which are negatively charged and orbit the nucleus.

The number of neutrons, on the other hand, can vary among atoms of the same element. Atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are called isotopes. The most common isotope of lithium is lithium-7 (⁷Li). The number 7 represents the mass number, which is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

To find the number of neutrons: Number of neutrons=Mass number−Atomic number\text{Number of neutrons} = \text{Mass number} – \text{Atomic number} Neutrons in ⁷Li=7−3=4\text{Neutrons in ⁷Li} = 7 – 3 = 4

So, lithium-7 has 3 protons and 4 neutrons.

There is also a less common isotope, lithium-6 (⁶Li), which has 3 protons and 3 neutrons. However, lithium-7 is more abundant (about 92.5% of natural lithium), so it is typically used when discussing the element’s standard atomic structure.

Understanding the number of protons and neutrons is essential in chemistry and physics because it affects an element’s stability, reactivity, and atomic mass. Lithium, with its light weight and unique electron configuration, is widely used in batteries, psychiatric medication, and nuclear reactions.

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