To determine why the model represents a neutral lithium atom, you can select the following responses:
- In the model there are three negative electrons surrounding the nucleus. In neutral atoms the numbers of protons and electrons match.
- The atomic number of lithium is three and there are three positive protons in the nucleus of this model.
These points accurately describe the characteristics that identify the atom as lithium, focusing on the matching number of protons and electrons and the atomic number.
The other statements regarding neutrons and electrons being in the nucleus are incorrect in the context of atomic structure. Electrons do not reside inside the nucleus; they exist in orbitals around it, and neutrons are indeed important but are not used primarily to identify an atom.