An atom that contains ten protons and ten electrons is likely to form covalent bonds with another atom. form ionic bonds with another atom. be chemically inert (stable).

An atom that contains ten protons and ten electrons is likely to be chemically inert (stable).

Explanation:

An atom has 10 electrons. Its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶. The last level gives us information about the period in which the element is and the sum of the electrons in the last level gives us information about the group in which the element is. This element belongs to the Period 2 and Group 2 + 6 = VIIIA (18). This group corresponds to noble gases so the element is expected to be chemically inert because its valence shell is complete with 8 electrons.

you need to take a look at the periodic system in order to sort these elements into pairs that would most likely exhibit similar chemical properties. first, you need to find elements that are found in the same group (groups are vertical in the periodic system), and then to see whether they have the same valence number. if they meet these criteria, they will have similar properties.

the first pair: ne (neon) and kr (krypton), are noble gases found in group 8

the second pair: li (lithium) and k (potassium), found in group 1

the third pair: s (sulfur) and te (tellurium), found in group 6

10 years is the answer