How does sodium obey the octet rule when reacting to form compounds?

• A. Sodium gains one electron to complete its valence shell.
• B. Sodium forms double bonds to satisfy the octet rule.
• C. Sodium shares electrons equally with other atoms to reach eight valence electrons.
• D. Sodium loses one electron to achieve a stable noble gas electron configuration.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the octet rule: atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to have eight electrons in their valence shell, achieving a stable noble gas configuration.
2. Identify sodium's electron configuration: sodium (Na) has 11 electrons, with a single electron in its outermost shell (3s¹).
3. Recognize that sodium is a metal and typically loses electrons rather than gaining or sharing them to satisfy the octet rule.
4. Explain that sodium loses its one valence electron to form a Na⁺ ion, resulting in a full octet in the next inner shell (which now becomes the outer shell).
5. Conclude that sodium obeys the octet rule by losing one electron, not by gaining electrons, forming double bonds, or sharing electrons equally.