Illustrate how sodium sulfide (Na₂S) is formed. [Pg. No. 174]

Sodium has atomic number 11 and electronic configuration 2, 8, 1. Each sodium atom loses one electron to form Na⁺.

Sulfur has atomic number 16 and electronic configuration 2, 8, 6. Sulfur needs two electrons to complete its octet, so it gains two electrons to form S²⁻.

Therefore, two sodium atoms each donate one electron to one sulfur atom. As a result, two sodium ions and one sulfide ion are formed, which combine to form sodium sulfide (Na₂S).

$$2Na^+ + \ddot{S} \longrightarrow \begin{matrix} [Na]^+ \\ [Na]^+ \end{matrix} \left[ \ddot{S} \right]^{2-}$$" loading="lazy" decoding="async" />