Here's why:
* Electron Configuration: Sodium (Na) has the electron configuration [Ne]3s¹ and potassium (K) has the electron configuration [Ar]4s¹. This means they both have a single electron in their outermost (valence) shell.
* Stability: Atoms strive for a stable electron configuration, resembling the nearest noble gas. Noble gases have a full outermost shell, which makes them exceptionally unreactive. For sodium and potassium, losing their single valence electron results in a filled outer shell, mimicking the electron configuration of neon (Ne) and argon (Ar), respectively.
* Ion Formation: By losing one electron, sodium and potassium become positively charged ions (cations):
* Na → Na⁺ + e⁻
* K → K⁺ + e⁻
Therefore, due to their similar electron configurations and their tendency to achieve stability by losing a single electron, both sodium and potassium form +1 ions.
