Question

Based on the electron configuration of the two

atoms, predict the ratio of metal cationic (+) atom
to nonmetal anionic (-) atom in the compound.

Answer 1

3:1

Step-by-step explanation:

Sodium, according to its electron configuration, has a single electron in its third energy level. In other words, sodium has one valence electron. On the other hand, phosphorus has 5 electrons in its third and outermost energy level.

Since phosphorus will want to fill its valence shell with three electrons to complete the shell (a complete valence shell has 8 electrons), and sodium will lose its single electron to make its second energy level the valence shell (with a total of 8 electrons), three sodium atoms will be needed to fill the valence shell of phosphorus. Each sodium atom will give one atom to the phosphorus atom, and three of them will fill phosphorus's valence shell. Therefore, the ratio is 3:1.