The atomic number of lithium is 3. How many neutrons does an atom of lithium have if it is represented by the symbol shown below
![The atomic number of lithium is 3 How many neutrons does an atom of lithium have if it is represented by the symbol shown below class=](https://us-static.z-dn.net/files/d0a/c42079ae47a30ae38e20b1ad85d76e34.png)
Answer:
Lithium has 4 neutrons
Explanation:
The number shown above the lithium symbol (Li) is the mass number.
The mass number (A) represents the protons and neutrons an atom has.
The atomic number(Z) in the other hand represents the protons only.
So, the difference between this two numbers is the amount of neutrons.
[tex]n_{neutrons}=A-Z=7-3=4[/tex]