Here's why:
* Sodium's Electron Configuration: Sodium has an electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹. This means it has one electron in its outermost shell (3s).
* Fluorine's Electron Configuration: Fluorine has an electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁵. It has seven electrons in its outermost shell (2p) and needs one more electron to achieve a stable octet (noble gas configuration).
* Ionic Bond Formation: When sodium donates its single valence electron to fluorine, it loses one negative charge, forming a positively charged ion (Na⁺). Fluorine gains the electron, becoming a negatively charged ion (F⁻).
* Noble Gas Configuration: Sodium, after losing its valence electron, has an electron configuration of 1s² 2s² 2p⁶. This matches the electron configuration of neon (Ne), a noble gas.
In summary: By losing one electron to fluorine, sodium achieves a stable noble gas configuration and forms a stable ionic bond with fluorine.
