When sodium atoms form sodium ions, that what
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
When sodium atoms form sodium ions, they lose one electron from their outermost electron shell, turning into a positively charged ion (Na⁺). Here’s an explanation of how this happens:
- Atomic Structure of Sodium: Sodium (Na) has an atomic number of 11, meaning it has 11 protons and 11 electrons. In its neutral state, the electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s11s^2 \, 2s^2 \, 2p^6 \, 3s^11s22s22p63s1. This shows that the sodium atom has one electron in its outermost shell (the 3s orbital), which is relatively far from the nucleus and not strongly held by the protons.
- Electron Loss: The outermost electron in the 3s orbital is loosely bound to the nucleus because it is far from the positively charged protons. Due to the electrostatic repulsion between electrons and the weak attraction of the nucleus on this outer electron, it is relatively easy for the sodium atom to lose this electron.
- Formation of Sodium Ion (Na⁺): When sodium loses the outermost electron, it results in the formation of a sodium ion (Na⁺). This ion has 11 protons and only 10 electrons, leading to a net positive charge of +1. The electron configuration of Na⁺ becomes 1s2 2s2 2p61s^2 \, 2s^2 \, 2p^61s22s22p6, which mirrors the electron configuration of neon, a noble gas.
- Stability of Sodium Ion: By losing an electron, sodium achieves a more stable configuration (similar to the noble gas neon) because the electron shell is now fully occupied, leading to a stable electron configuration. This process of losing an electron to form a positively charged ion is called ionization, and it helps the sodium atom to achieve a lower energy state.
- Why Does Sodium Lose Electrons?: Sodium loses electrons because it is a metal with a relatively low ionization energy, meaning it requires less energy to remove the outer electron. This characteristic makes sodium highly reactive, especially with nonmetals like chlorine.
In summary, when sodium atoms form sodium ions, they lose an electron to become positively charged, achieving a stable electron configuration.
