Question

Why did it require two sodium atoms to complete the Na2O formula unit? Na has +2 charge and O has -1 charge. Na has +1 charge and O has -2 charge. Na has -2 charge and O has +1 charge.

Answer 1

Answer:

B

Explanation:

Edg2020

Answer 2

Na₂O is an ionic compound. Na is in group 1 which means it has one electron in the outer shell. O is in group 6 so it has 6 electrons in the outer shell.
To become stable atoms need to either lose the electrons in the outer shell or gain electrons to gain a complete outer shell configuration. 
To become stable Na loses its outer electron and becomes positively charged. It only loses one electron, so net charge is +1. O to become stable gains 2 electrons to complete its outer shell and becomes negatively charged. since it gains 2 electrons, the net charge is -2. 
cation - Na⁺
anion - O²⁻
O gains 2 electrons but Na can give only one electron, therefore 2 Na⁺ ions are required. 
the compound can be written by exchanging the charges
  ions         Na⁺       O²⁻
charge       +1       -2
exchange   Na₂O
Correct answer is Na has +1 charge and O has -2 charge