What are the properties of sodium atom and sodium ion?

Answer by  Allstar (2071)

Sodium is an alkali metal with atomic number 11. Elemental sodium is highly reactive; reacting violently with water. A sodium atom's electron configuration is 1S2,2S2,2P63S1. The most common sodium ion is Na+, which it loses it's 3S electron to a -1 ion, most commonly from the 17th group of elements (quite often Chlorine).

Answer by  mike1162 (137)

Although the sodium atom and the sodium ion contain the same number of protons, the ion's loss of an electron yields completely different chemical properties. While the sodium ion dissolves in water and forms stable compounds, the sodium atom is a metal that is highly reactive.