* Ionic Bonding: Sodium is a metal and nitrogen is a nonmetal. When metals and nonmetals react, they typically form ionic compounds.
* Electrostatic Attraction: Sodium readily loses an electron to become a positively charged ion (Na+), while nitrogen gains three electrons to become a negatively charged ion (N3-). The strong electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions results in the formation of an ionic compound called sodium nitride (Na3N).
In summary: Sodium and nitrogen react to form an ionic compound, not a molecular compound. Molecular compounds are formed by the sharing of electrons between nonmetals.
