AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A lithium atom contains 3 protons in its nucleus irrespective of the number of neutrons or electrons. a. b. Notice that because the lithium atom always has 3 protons, the atomic number for lithium is always 3.

Detailed explanation-2: -Lithium is a metal whose electronic configuration is 2 and 1 including 3 protons 3 electrons and 3 neutrons.

Detailed explanation-3: -A lithium nucleus has three protons and three neutrons.

Detailed explanation-4: -An atom with three protons is a lithium atom, an atom with five protons is a boron atom, an atom with six protons is a carbon atom . . . the list goes on.