what is the ionic compound formula sodium nitride?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The ionic compound formula for sodium nitride is Na₃N.
Explanation:
- Ionic Bond Formation: Sodium (Na) is a metal from Group 1 of the periodic table, and nitrogen (N) is a non-metal from Group 15. When forming an ionic compound, metals like sodium tend to lose electrons, and non-metals like nitrogen tend to gain electrons. This electron transfer forms positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).
- Sodium Ion (Na⁺): Sodium atoms have an atomic number of 11, meaning they have 11 electrons in total. The electron configuration of sodium is 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹. To achieve a stable electron configuration (like the noble gas Ne), sodium loses its one valence electron, resulting in a Na⁺ ion.
- Nitride Ion (N³⁻): Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, so its electron configuration is 1s² 2s² 2p³. It needs three more electrons to fill its outer shell (2p⁶), forming a nitride ion (N³⁻).
- Balancing Charges: The sodium ion has a charge of +1 (Na⁺), and the nitride ion has a charge of -3 (N³⁻). To balance the charges, three sodium ions (each with a +1 charge) are required to combine with one nitride ion (with a -3 charge). Therefore, the formula for sodium nitride becomes Na₃N.
- Ionic Compound Characteristics: In Na₃N, the sodium ions are electrostatically attracted to the nitride ion, forming a stable ionic bond. This ionic structure leads to a solid lattice structure that is characteristic of many ionic compounds.
In conclusion, the formula for sodium nitride is Na₃N, where three sodium ions balance the charge of one nitride ion, resulting in a neutral ionic compound.
