1. Calculate the number of moles of sodium:

* Molar mass of sodium (Na) = 22.99 g/mol

* Moles of sodium = mass / molar mass = 42 g / 22.99 g/mol = 1.83 mol

2. Determine the number of sodium atoms:

* Avogadro's number = 6.022 x 10^23 atoms/mol

* Number of sodium atoms = moles of sodium * Avogadro's number = 1.83 mol * 6.022 x 10^23 atoms/mol = 1.10 x 10^24 atoms

3. Understand the oxidation process:

* Sodium (Na) loses one electron to become a sodium ion (Na+).

4. Calculate the total number of electrons lost:

* Since each sodium atom loses one electron, the total number of electrons lost is equal to the number of sodium atoms.

Therefore, 42 g of sodium loses 1.10 x 10^24 electrons when oxidized to ions.