Mendeleev
Periodic table · chemistry · physics
Element story

Lithium

Atomic number 3 means that every Lithium nucleus contains 3 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Lithium.

Start with the nucleus

Atomic number 3 means that every Lithium nucleus contains 3 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Lithium.

Lithium (Li) is chemical element 3. It belongs to the alkali metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

In practice, it turns up most often in batteries, special glasses and alloys.

See the atom

Conceptual visual: electron shells are a learning aid, not a literal picture of quantum orbitals.

What this number means

Atomic number 3 means that every Lithium nucleus contains 3 protons. That proton count is the element's identity: change it and you no longer have Lithium.

Keep exploring

→ Lithium · Atomic structure · Periodic trends

3LiLithium
Lithium · Li · Z = 3

Lithium (Li) is chemical element 3. It belongs to the alkali metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Understanding the element

Lithium (Li) is chemical element 3. It belongs to the alkali metals, and its reference state at room temperature is a solid. Those basic facts are a useful starting point for its chemistry and applications.

Where do we encounter it?

In practice, it turns up most often in batteries, special glasses and alloys.

What its position in the table tells us

Lithium sits in period 2, group 1 and the S block. That location is useful because neighbouring elements often share trends in valence electrons, oxidation states and bonding behaviour.