* Sodium (Na) has one valence electron (electron in its outermost shell). It wants to lose this electron to achieve a stable octet (8 electrons) like the noble gases.
* Sulfur (S) has six valence electrons. It wants to gain two electrons to achieve a stable octet.
Therefore, two sodium atoms each lose one electron, giving a total of two electrons that are transferred to the sulfur atom. This results in:
* Two sodium ions (Na+)
* One sulfide ion (S2-)
The opposite charges then attract each other, forming the ionic compound sodium sulfide (Na₂S).
