Valence Electrons in Lithium (Li)

Calculate the number of valence electrons in Lithium using its electron configuration step by step.

Enter the atomic number or symbol of any element, and this calculator will calculate its valence electrons with steps.

Valence Electrons in Lithium

Determine the number of valence electrons in Lithium (Li, Element 3)

Step 1: Look up the electronic configuration for Lithium

The abbreviated (condensed) ground electronic configuration for Lithium is:

[He] 2s1

Calculate Electronic Configuration for Lithium

Step 2: Identify the outermost electrons using the electronic configuration

Electrons in atomic orbitals outside the [He] core are the outermost electrons:

2s1

Step 3: Use the principle quantum number to identify the valence electrons

Extract the principle quantum number, n, and number of electrons from the electron configuration:

Electron ConfigurationnOrbitalNumber of Electrons
2s12s1

The outermost electrons with the largest principal quantum number (in this case, n = 2) are valence electrons.

Answer

Lithium (Li) has 1 valence electron(s).

Lewis Dot for Li