Multiple Choice
Which of the following best explains why an anion has a negative charge?
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2. Atoms & Elements
Ions
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Why does sodium (Na) typically form an ion with a 1+ charge?
A
Because sodium shares electrons with other atoms to form a 1+ ion.
B
Because sodium gains one electron to complete its outer shell.
C
Because sodium has two valence electrons that it loses to form a 1+ ion.
D
Because sodium has one valence electron that it readily loses to achieve a stable noble gas configuration.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the number of valence electrons in a sodium (Na) atom. Sodium is in Group 1 of the periodic table, so it has 1 valence electron.
Understand that atoms tend to achieve a stable electron configuration, often resembling the nearest noble gas, by either losing, gaining, or sharing electrons.
Recognize that sodium can achieve a stable noble gas configuration (like neon) by losing its single valence electron, resulting in a full outer shell underneath.
Losing one electron means sodium becomes a positively charged ion (cation) with a charge of +1, because it now has one more proton than electrons.
Conclude that sodium typically forms a 1+ ion because it readily loses its one valence electron to reach a stable electron configuration.
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