Question

1. observe: click reset ( 2 ). the electrons in the outermost orbit, called valence electrons, help to create chemical bonds. create a lithium atom (3 protons, 4 neutrons, 3 electrons). how many valence electrons are in a neutral lithium atom? __________

Explanation:

Step1: Recall electron - shell filling rules

Electrons fill shells in a specific order. The first shell can hold a maximum of 2 electrons, and the second shell starts filling after the first is full.

Step2: Analyze lithium's electron configuration

A neutral lithium atom has 3 electrons. The first 2 electrons fill the first shell, and the remaining 1 electron goes into the second shell. The outermost shell electrons are valence electrons. So, the number of valence electrons in a neutral lithium atom is 1.

Answer:

1