Yes, they are an ionic compound when joined as,
Na2O
Sodium oxide.
Separately, sodium is an metal element of the alkali family and oxygen is a highly electronegative gas and nonmetal.
Sodium and oxygen can form ionic compounds, such as sodium oxide (Na2O). In this compound, sodium gives up an electron to oxygen, forming an ionic bond due to the difference in electronegativity between the two elements.
The compound formed by sodium and oxygen is sodium oxide, with the chemical formula Na2O.
Two atoms of sodium (Na) would react with oxygen (O) to form an ionic compound because sodium tends to lose electrons to form a positive ion (Na+) and oxygen tends to gain electrons to form a negative ion (O2-). The resulting compound would be sodium oxide (Na2O), which is ionic.
When sodium and oxygen bond in ionic formation, sodium loses an electron to oxygen, creating Na+ and O2- ions. The resulting ionic compound is sodium oxide (Na2O), where the two ions combine in a 2:1 ratio due to their respective charges. The electrostatic attraction between the positively charged sodium ion and the negatively charged oxygen ion holds the compound together in a crystal lattice structure.
When sodium and fluorine combine, they form sodium fluoride (NaF). This compound is an ionic compound where sodium loses an electron to fluorine, resulting in the formation of a stable ionic bond. Sodium fluoride is commonly used in dental products like toothpaste for its ability to prevent tooth decay.