* Sodium's Electron Configuration: Sodium (Na) has 11 electrons. Its electron configuration is 2, 8, 1. This means it has one electron in its outermost shell.

* Stability: Atoms strive for a stable electron configuration, usually resembling the noble gases. Sodium can achieve this by losing its outermost electron.

* Ion Formation: By losing one electron, sodium becomes a positively charged ion, known as a sodium cation (Na⁺). This is because it now has 11 protons (positive charge) and only 10 electrons (negative charge).

Let me know if you'd like more details about ionic bonding!