Lithium (Li) possesses a single valence electron. A valence electron is defined as an electron found in the outermost electron shell of an atom and determines the chemical properties of the element. Because lithium is in the first group of the periodic table, also known as the alkali metals, it conforms to the characteristic of these elements, which is having one valence electron.
The presence of only one valence electron explains lithium’s high reactivity and its tendency to readily lose this electron to form a positive ion (Li+). This characteristic is fundamental to lithium’s role in various chemical reactions and its applications, such as in batteries and pharmaceuticals. Understanding the valence electron configuration of elements like lithium is crucial in predicting their behavior and applications in various scientific and technological fields.
