Multiple Choice
How can you determine the number of covalent bonds that atoms of an element can typically form?
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10. Periodic Properties of the Elements
Valence Electrons of Elements
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How does a sodium atom achieve a stable octet of valence electrons?
A
By absorbing energy and moving to a higher energy level
B
By sharing electrons with another sodium atom
C
By gaining one electron to form Na-
D
By losing one electron to form Na+
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of the octet rule, which states that atoms tend to achieve a stable configuration with eight valence electrons, similar to the nearest noble gas.
Identify the electron configuration of a neutral sodium atom: it has 11 electrons, with the outermost shell containing 1 valence electron (configuration: 1s\^2 2s\^2 2p\^6 3s\^1).
Recognize that sodium can achieve a stable octet by losing its one valence electron in the 3s orbital, resulting in a full octet in the second shell (which has 8 electrons).
Losing one electron forms a positively charged ion, Na\^+, because the number of protons (11) exceeds the number of electrons (10), giving it a stable noble gas configuration similar to neon.
Note that gaining an electron to form Na\^- or sharing electrons with another sodium atom is not favorable because sodium prefers to lose its single valence electron to achieve stability.
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