* Ionic Bonding: Sodium (Na) is a metal and nitrogen (N) is a nonmetal. Metals tend to lose electrons, while nonmetals tend to gain electrons. When sodium and nitrogen react, they form an ionic bond. Sodium loses an electron to become a positively charged ion (Na+), and nitrogen gains three electrons to become a negatively charged ion (N3-). These oppositely charged ions attract each other, forming an ionic compound called sodium nitride (Na3N).
* Molecular Compounds: Molecular compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between nonmetal atoms. These shared electrons form covalent bonds. Since sodium and nitrogen have a large difference in electronegativity, they do not share electrons, but rather transfer them to form an ionic bond.
In summary: Sodium and nitrogen form an ionic compound, sodium nitride, not a molecular compound.
