What characteristic of an element determines how its atoms can bond with other atoms? A. its total number of electrons
B. its number of valence electrons
C. how many low-energy-level electrons it has
D. how many protons and neutrons it has

50 points!

Which statement correctly describes the phosphate ion, ? it is composed of one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms covalently bonded together, and there is a –3 charge distributed over the entire ion. it is composed of one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms covalently bonded together, and there is a –3 charge on the phosphorus atom. it is composed of one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms ionically bonded together, and there is a –3 charge distributed over the entire ion. it is composed of one phosphorus atom and four oxygen atoms ionically bonded together, and there is a –3 charge on the phosphorus atom.