* Sodium's Electronic Configuration: Sodium has one electron in its outermost shell (valence electron).
* Ionization: To achieve a stable octet configuration, sodium loses this valence electron, becoming a positively charged ion (Na+).
* Ionic Bonding: The loss of this electron creates a single positive charge on the sodium ion. This positive charge can then attract a single negatively charged ion, forming an ionic bond.
In summary: Sodium ions only have one "space" for an electron after losing their valence electron, meaning they can only form a single ionic bond with another ion.
