Question

Diagram Sodium has 11 protons and 11 neutrons in its nucleus. Draw a sodium atom. Be sure to label the particles.

Answer 1

A sodium atom can be drawn with a nucleus containing 11 protons and 12 neutrons, surrounded by 11 electrons in respective energy levels. For a neutral atom, the number of protons equals the number of electrons, making the overall charge zero. A sodium cation (Na⁺) has one fewer electron, resulting in a +1 overall charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

To draw a sodium atom, we begin by illustrating the nucleus, which contains both protons and neutrons. In the case of sodium, the nucleus consists of 11 protons and 12 neutrons. Surrounding the nucleus, we would show 11 electrons arranged in their respective energy levels or shells.

Here's a simplified representation of how you might draw a sodium atom:

• Draw a circle to represent the nucleus in the center.
• Inside the nucleus, label 11 positive signs (+) for protons and 11 small circles or dots for neutrons. Even though sodium actually has 12 neutrons, it was stated as 11 in the question. Correct information should be noted in actual practice.
• Around the nucleus, draw concentric circles to represent the energy levels of electrons.
• Place 2 electrons in the first energy level (the closest to the nucleus), 8 electrons in the second energy level, and 1 electron in the third energy level. Label these as negative signs (-) or small dots to represent electrons.

This represents a neutral sodium atom, with an equal number of protons and electrons, resulting in zero overall charge. However, when sodium becomes a cation (Na⁺), it loses one electron and thus has 10 electrons but still has 11 protons, which results in a +1 overall charge.

Answer 2

A sodium atom is a chemical species consisting of a nucleus, which contains positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons, surrounded by negatively charged electrons.

Sodium is an alkali metal and is represented by the symbol Na on the periodic table. Here's a breakdown of the components of a sodium atom:

At the center of the atom is the nucleus, which is composed of positively charged protons and uncharged neutrons. Sodium typically has 11 protons and 12 neutrons in its nucleus. The number of protons defines the element and gives sodium its chemical properties.

Sodium, being in the 3rd period of the periodic table, has three electron shells. The electron configuration of sodium is 2-8-1, meaning it has 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, and 1 in the third.