Question

Sodium forms $N{a}^{+}$ ion but it does not form $N{a}^{2+}$ because of the:

• A. very low value of (IE)${}_1$ and (IE)${}_2$
• B. very high value of (IE)${}_1$ and (IE)${}_2$
• C. low value of (IE)${}_1$ and low value of (IE)${}_2$
• D. low value of (IE)${}_1$ and high value of (IE)${}_2$

Answer 1

The correct option is D low value of (IE)${}_1$ and high value of (IE)${}_2$

Sodium forms $N{a}^{+}$ ion but it does not form $N{a}^{2+}$ because of the low value of $(IE{)}_1$ and high value of $(IE{)}_2$
Sodium has one valence electron. Sodium forms $N{a}^{+}$ ion by losing its valence electron and attains the stable electronic configuration of Ne with a completed octet. This requires less energy. The removal of the second electron will break this stable electronic configuration and requires high energy.