Question: how many total and how many valence electrons are in lithium?
Answer: Lithium has 3 electrons --- 2 in the first shell, and 1 in the second shell (so one valence electron). Beryllim has 4 electrons --- 2 in the first shell, and 2 in the second shell (so two valence electrons). Boron has 5 electrons --- 2 in the first shell, and 3 in the second shell (so three valence electrons).