Draw the Lewis dot symbol for the Na⁺ ion
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The Lewis dot symbol represents the valence electrons of an atom or ion. For the sodium ion (Na⁺), the Lewis dot symbol is quite simple.
Lewis Dot Symbol for Na⁺:
- Sodium (Na) has an atomic number of 11, meaning it has 11 protons and 11 electrons in its neutral state.
- The electron configuration of sodium is (1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1). The single electron in the 3s orbital is the valence electron.
- To form a Na⁺ ion, sodium loses its 3s electron, achieving the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas, neon (Ne), which is (1s^2 2s^2 2p^6).
- The loss of one electron results in a positive charge on the sodium ion (Na⁺).
Lewis Dot Symbol for Na⁺:
Na⁺ has no dots around it because it has lost its single valence electron. The ion is represented simply as Na⁺ without any dots.
Explanation:
- Electron Loss and Ion Formation:
Sodium (Na) is a Group 1 element in the periodic table, and elements in this group have one electron in their outermost shell. Because sodium has one electron in its 3s orbital, it is energetically favorable for sodium to lose that electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to the nearest noble gas, neon (Ne). By losing this valence electron, sodium becomes positively charged, forming the Na⁺ ion. This process is called ionization. - Charge and Stability:
Once sodium loses its electron, the number of electrons decreases by one, but the number of protons remains the same. The result is a net positive charge on the sodium ion (Na⁺). This loss of an electron leaves the sodium ion with a stable electron configuration of (1s^2 2s^2 2p^6), which is the same as neon’s configuration. The ion is now stable due to the full outer shell of electrons, following the octet rule. - Lewis Dot Representation:
The Lewis dot symbol specifically represents only the valence electrons. Since Na⁺ has lost its single valence electron, there are no dots shown around the symbol for Na⁺, reflecting the absence of any valence electrons in this ion.
This simplification to no valence electrons is an important feature of ionic compounds, where ions interact based on their charge, leading to the formation of stable ionic compounds.