When an axon is not conducting a nerve impulse and there is more sodium outside the axon and more potassium inside the axon?

When an axon is not conducting a nerve impulse, it is in a resting state, characterized by a resting membrane potential. In this state, there is a higher concentration of sodium ions (Na⁺) outside the axon and a higher concentration of potassium ions (K⁺) inside. This difference in ion distribution is maintained by the sodium-potassium pump, which actively transports sodium out of the axon and potassium into it, creating a negative charge inside relative to the outside. This resting potential is crucial for the generation of action potentials when the axon becomes depolarized.