How can you tell the number of covalent bonds an element can form?

The number of bonds for a neutral atom is equal to the number of electrons in the full valence shell (2 or 8 electrons) minus the number of valence electrons. This method works because each covalent bond that an atom forms adds another electron to an atoms valence shell without changing its charge.

first one is the correct answer

the mantle

explanation:

earth is divided into three layers: the crust or the outermost layer on which we live; the underlying, middle layer - the mantle - and the core (the innermost layer of earth).