answersLogoWhite

0

Lithium has 3 protons and three electrons in its neutral state. In a higher energy state, it loses its outer electron to become Li+ or ionized lithium.

Lithium is in group 1 on the Periodic Table. This means that it has only 1 valence electron. Lithium will tend to lose that electron when it ionizes and become an ion. An ion is any atom or molecule with a charge. When Li loses the electron, it loses one of its negative charges so the atom becomes an ion with a +1 charge because it now has 3 positively charged protons and only 2 negatively charged electrons.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago

What else can I help you with?