Which of the following is the correct Lewis electron-dot diagram for a sodium (Na) atom?

• A. Na with eight dots
• B. Na with no dots
• C. Na with one dot
• D. Na with two dots

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall that Lewis electron-dot diagrams represent the valence electrons of an atom as dots placed around the chemical symbol of the element.
2. Determine the number of valence electrons for sodium (Na). Sodium is in Group 1 of the periodic table, which means it has 1 valence electron.
3. Since sodium has 1 valence electron, the Lewis dot diagram should show the symbol 'Na' with exactly one dot around it.
4. Understand that dots represent only valence electrons, so having eight dots or two dots would be incorrect for sodium, and no dots would mean zero valence electrons, which is also incorrect.
5. Therefore, the correct Lewis electron-dot diagram for sodium is 'Na' with one dot.