The electron configuration of Lithium is: 1s² 2s¹.
In this article, we will study how electrons are arranged in different shells and subshells in a Lithium atom.
1. Lithium
Lithium is a chemical element with the symbol Li and atomic number 3. It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal that belongs to Group 1 of the periodic table.
Lithium is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element at room temperature. It has a low melting point and boiling point, and it is highly reactive and flammable. Lithium is found in various minerals and brine pools, and it is also present in seawater and some natural springs.
Lithium has a number of uses, including in rechargeable batteries, ceramics, glass, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals. It is also used in nuclear fusion research, as it can be used as a coolant and as a fuel. Lithium is also used in some psychiatric medications to treat bipolar disorder and depression.
2. Electronic Configuration of Lithium
The electronic configuration of lithium is 1s² 2s¹.
This means that lithium has three electrons in total, with two electrons occupying the innermost shell (1s subshell) and one electron in the second shell (2s subshell).
The valence shell of lithium is the second shell, which contains one electron in the 2s subshell. The valence electron in lithium is loosely bound to the nucleus, which makes it highly reactive and easy to lose. This is why lithium is a highly reactive metal and has a tendency to form chemical bonds with other elements to achieve a more stable electronic configuration.
3. Distribution of Electrons in Shell in Lithium Atom
The distribution of electrons in shells in a lithium atom is as follows:
- The first shell (closest to the nucleus) contains 2 electrons.
- The second shell contains 1 electron.
Therefore, the electronic configuration of lithium can be represented as 1s² 2s¹, where the superscript numbers represent the number of electrons in each subshell.
The electron configuration of lithium indicates that the two electrons in the first shell completely fill its 1s subshell, while the remaining electron is located in the 2s subshell of the second shell. The valence electron of lithium is the electron in the 2s subshell, which is responsible for the chemical properties of lithium. Since it is a single electron in the valence shell, it is loosely held by the nucleus and makes lithium a highly reactive element.
Read: What are Electrons
4. Valence Electrons in Lithium
Lithium has one valence electron in its outermost shell.
The valence electrons are the electrons located in the outermost shell of an atom, and they are responsible for an atom’s chemical behavior. In the case of lithium, its valence electron is the single electron in the 2s subshell of the second shell.
The valence electron in lithium is loosely bound to the nucleus, which makes it highly reactive and easily lost. This reactivity is why lithium is an excellent material for use in batteries, as it can donate its valence electron to other elements to form chemical bonds and release energy.
5. Valency of Lithium
The valency of an element refers to its combining power with other atoms to form chemical compounds. The valency of lithium is +1.
This is because lithium has one valence electron, which it can easily lose to form a stable compound with other elements. When lithium loses its valence electron, it forms a cation with a charge of +1, which can combine with an anion to form a stable compound.
For example, lithium can combine with a halogen such as chlorine to form lithium chloride (LiCl), which is a stable ionic compound. In LiCl, lithium has a valency of +1, while chlorine has a valency of -1, and the overall compound has a neutral charge.
Also Read:
Silicon Electron Configuration
Key Takeaways
- The chemical symbol of Lithium is Li.
- The electronic configuration of lithium is 1s² 2s¹.
- The valence electrons in lithium is 1.
- The valency of lithium is 1.
FAQs
What is the electronic configuration of lithium?
The electronic configuration of lithium is 1s² 2s¹. This means that lithium has a total of three electrons, with two electrons in the first shell (1s subshell) and one electron in the second shell (2s subshell).
Why is the electronic configuration of lithium important?
The electronic configuration of an atom is important because it determines an atom’s chemical behavior and how it will react with other atoms to form compounds. The electronic configuration of lithium, specifically its valence electron, is what makes it highly reactive and easily able to form chemical bonds with other elements.
What is the valence electron in lithium?
The valence electron in lithium is the single electron in the 2s subshell of the second shell. It is loosely bound to the nucleus, which makes lithium highly reactive and easy to lose its valence electron.
How many valence electrons does lithium have?
Lithium has one valence electron in its outermost shell, which is the 2s subshell of the second shell.
How does the electronic configuration of lithium relate to its chemical properties?
The electronic configuration of lithium, specifically its valence electron, is what makes it highly reactive and easily able to form chemical bonds with other elements. The tendency of lithium to lose its valence electron makes it a good reducing agent and an excellent material for use in batteries.