1. Electron Configuration:
* A neutral sodium atom has 11 electrons. Its electron configuration is 2, 8, 1. This means it has one electron in its outermost shell (the valence shell).
2. Losing an Electron:
* Sodium has a strong tendency to lose its single valence electron. This is because losing this electron allows it to achieve a stable, filled outer shell configuration like the noble gas neon (2, 8).
* The energy required to remove this electron is relatively low, making it easy for sodium to lose it.
3. Formation of a Cation:
* When the sodium atom loses its electron, it becomes a positively charged ion called a sodium cation (Na⁺).
* The positive charge arises because the atom now has 11 protons (positive charge) and only 10 electrons (negative charge), resulting in a net positive charge of +1.
In Summary:
The sodium atom becomes a positively charged ion (Na⁺) by losing its single valence electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. This process is known as ionization.
