Write the distribution of electrons in carbon and sodium atoms.

Carbon (C):
1. Atomic number: 6
2. Electron configuration:
– 2 electrons in the first shell (1s²)
– 4 electrons in the second shell (2s² 2p²)
3. Total electrons: 6
4. Chemical behavior:
– Has 4 electrons in its outer shell.
– These 4 outer electrons make carbon versatile in forming compounds due to the availability of bonding sites.
– Can form single, double, or triple bonds with other elements, enabling the creation of diverse organic and inorganic compounds.

Sodium (Na):
1. Atomic number: 11
2. Electron configuration:
– 2 electrons in the first shell (1s²)
– 8 electrons in the second shell (2s² 2p⁶)
– 1 electron in the third shell (3s¹)
3. Total electrons: 11
4. Chemical behavior:
– Has 1 electron in its outermost shell (valence electron).
– Sodium tends to lose this valence electron to achieve a stable electron configuration.
– Highly reactive due to its readiness to donate this electron, forming positively charged ions (Na⁺).

Understanding the electron configurations of these elements helps predict their reactivity and their involvement in various chemical reactions to achieve stable electron configurations, influencing the compounds they form and their roles in chemical processes.