Lithium has 3 protons, 4 neutrons, and 3 electrons. An element with which of these particles would have properties most similar to lithium?(1 point)

To determine which element would have properties most similar to lithium, we need to focus on the atomic structure, particularly the number of protons and electrons.

Lithium (Li) has:
- 3 protons
- 3 electrons

The number of protons defines the element's identity. Since lithium has 3 protons, we're looking for an element with a similar atomic structure, particularly one that has a similar electron configuration, which is determined by the number of electrons.

Among the options given:

1. **An element with 4 protons, 4 neutrons, and 3 electrons** - This is beryllium (Be), which has 4 protons and will not have similar properties to lithium due to its different proton number and electron configuration.

2. **An element with 12 protons, 12 neutrons, and 12 electrons** - This is magnesium (Mg), which is too far down the periodic table from lithium and has different properties because it has many more protons.

3. **An element with 11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 11 electrons** - This is sodium (Na). It has one more proton than lithium but still belongs to the same group (alkali metals), meaning it shares some similar properties.

4. **An element with 10 protons, 12 neutrons, and 10 electrons** - This is neon (Ne), which is a noble gas and would have very different properties compared to lithium.

The most similar element to lithium, based on both the number of protons and its position in the periodic table (alkali metals), would be:

**An element with 11 protons, 11 neutrons, and 11 electrons. (Sodium)**

However, strictly regarding having the same number of electrons (3) and a similar group, lithium remains singular. Still, sodium (with 11 protons) has a relatively similar chemical behavior because they are both alkali metals.