What is the charge on the cation in the ionic compund sodium sulfide

Since this is an ionic compound, you must balance the charges so that overall charge of the compound is neutral. Sodium, an alkali metal, has a tendency to lose one electron. As a result sodium normally carries a positive one charge. Sulfur, a nonmetal, has a tendency to gain 2 electrons.

Explanation:

Sodium commonly forms a

+

I

ion.

Explanation:

And thus the chemical formula for sodium sulfide is

Na2S , i.e. two sodium ions are required to form a neutral salt with

S2-