Hector claims that a single sodium ion and a single oxygen ion do not bond together to form a stable binary ionic compound. is he correct? why or why not?
a hector is incorrect. the two ions have opposite charges, so they will bond together in a binary ionic compound.
b hector is incorrect. the two ions have more than eighteen protons, so they will bond together in a binary ionic compound.
c hector is correct. the sum of the charges of the two ions must be zero in order for them to form a stable ionic compound.
d hector is correct. the sum of the protons of the two ions must be divisible by eight in order for them to form a stable ionic compound.

A Hector is incorrect. The two ions have opposite charges, so they will bond together in a binary ionic compound.

Explanation:

For formation of a neutral ionic compound, the charges on cation and anion must be balanced. The cation is formed by loss of electrons by metals and anions are formed by gain of electrons by non metals.

Electronic configuration of sodium:

Sodium atom will loose two electrons to gain noble gas configuration and form sodium cation with +1 charge.

Electronic configuration of oxygen:

Oxygen atom will gain one electron to gain noble gas configuration and form oxide ion with -2 charge.

Here sodium is having an oxidation state of +1 called as cation and oxide is an anion with oxidation state of -2. Thus they combine and their oxidation states are exchanged and written in simplest whole number ratios to give neutral .

The cations and anions being oppositely charged attract each other through strong coloumbic forces and form an ionic bond.