A Sodium Atom Losing an Electron
Sodium Atom Losing an Electron
When a sodium atom loses an electron, the resulting particle is an ion with a positive charge.
More to know:
Sodium atom loses one electron and becomes a Cation: When a sodium atom loses one electron, it becomes a positively charged ion called a cation.
Ions: Ions are atoms or molecules that have a charge on them. Cations are positively charged ions, while anions are negatively charged ions.
Elements lose electrons to become Cations: Elements lose electrons to become cations. When they gain electrons, they become anions. For example, sodium can lose an electron to become a sodium cation (Na+).
Complete its octet: Elements lose or gain electrons to complete their octet, which refers to having a full outer electron shell. This stability drives the formation of ions in chemical reactions.
In conclusion, when a sodium atom loses an electron, it becomes a cation with a positive charge. This process is essential in understanding the behavior of elements and their interactions in chemical reactions.