Question

Compare :​

(a) Sodium atom and sodium ion, with respect to​
(i) atomic structure​
(ii) electrical state

Answer 1

(a) (i) Atomic Structure

Sodium atom​ ​

• In a sodium atom, there are 11 protons and 11 electrons, i.e. equal number of protons and electrons. ​
• Sodium atom has only one electron in its valence shell as the electronic configuration of Sodium is 2,8,1.​
• Size of a sodium atom is larger than a sodium ion​ ​

• Sodium ion​

• ​ In sodium ions, there are 11 protons but 10 electrons, i.e. sodium ions contain a lesser number of electrons. ​
• Sodium ions have 8 electrons in its valence shell as Na+ has electronic configuration of 2,8​
• Size of a sodium ion is smaller than a sodium atom.

(ii) Electrical state

Sodium atom​

Sodium atoms are electrically neutral. ​

Sodium ion​

Sodium ions are positively charged.