How can I make a sodium atom model?

Question

Adrian Ayala · Accepted Answer

We draw atomic structures for any element with the help of atomic number they have. So, if you want to draw atomic structure for sodium first of all you should know the atomic number for sodium.
Atomic number of sodium is 11. Atomic number of any element refers to the number of electrons in an atom of that element they are having.

STEP 1. Always write the atomic number of the element first. Once you know its atomic number you know the number of protons and electrons in it. As in every stable atom the number of protons is equal to the number of electrons. Therefore, now you know the number of electrons too.

STEP 2. Do the electronic configuration for the atom of the element. We always do electronic configuration for the number of electrons present in the atom of the element. The number of elecrons each shell of an element can old is given by #2n^2# rule given by Bohr where n refers to the number of shell.

                                 STRUCTURE FOR SODIUM

Atomic Number:- 11

Number of protons:- 11

Number of electrons:- 11

Electronic configuration:-  K - 2, L-8, M-1

Adam Arnold · Answer

undefined To make a model of a sodium atom, you will need the following materials:

1. Styrofoam ball (representing the nucleus)
2. Smaller Styrofoam balls or wooden beads (representing electrons)
3. Thin wire or toothpicks
4. Paint or markers

Steps:
1. Paint the larger Styrofoam ball or wooden bead yellow to represent the nucleus of the sodium atom.
2. Attach smaller Styrofoam balls or wooden beads to the nucleus using thin wire or toothpicks to represent the electrons. Sodium has 11 electrons arranged in 3 energy levels. The first energy level holds 2 electrons, while the second and third energy levels hold 8 and 1 electron, respectively.
3. Paint or mark the electrons with a different color to differentiate them from the nucleus and each other.
4. Arrange the electrons around the nucleus according to the electron configuration of sodium: 2 electrons in the first energy level, 8 electrons in the second energy level, and 1 electron in the third energy level.
5. Make sure the model accurately represents the arrangement of electrons in a sodium atom: one electron in the outermost energy level.

Your sodium atom model is now complete.