* Sodium (Na) is a metal in group 1 of the periodic table. It readily loses one electron to form a positively charged ion (Na+).
* Neon (Ne) is a noble gas in group 18. It has a full outer shell of electrons, making it extremely stable and unreactive. It does not easily gain or lose electrons.
Ionic compounds form when a metal (which tends to lose electrons) reacts with a nonmetal (which tends to gain electrons).
Since neon does not readily gain electrons, it cannot form an ionic bond with sodium.
