A neutral lithium (Li) atom has 3 valence electrons. The atomic number of lithium is 3, which indicates that it has 3 electrons in total. In the electron configuration, these electrons are distributed as 2 electrons in the first energy level (closest to the nucleus) and 1 electron in the second energy level. The outermost energy level, which is the second energy level in this case, is the valence shell, and it contains the valence electrons. Therefore, lithium has 3 valence electrons.