What is the charge on the cation in the ionic compound sodium sulfide?

• A. +2
• B. +3
• C. +1
• D. -1

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the ions present in the compound sodium sulfide. Sodium sulfide is composed of sodium ions (Na) and sulfide ions (S).
2. Recall that sodium is an alkali metal in Group 1 of the periodic table, which typically forms cations with a charge of +1.
3. Recognize that the sulfide ion is derived from sulfur and typically carries a charge of -2, represented as S^{2-}.
4. Since the compound is neutral overall, the total positive charge from sodium cations must balance the total negative charge from sulfide anions.
5. Conclude that each sodium cation has a charge of +1 to balance the -2 charge from one sulfide ion, resulting in the formula Na_{2}S.