Sodium Chloride vs. Sodium & Chlorine: Understanding Compounds and Elements
No, sodium chloride is not the same as either sodium or chlorine. Sodium and chlorine are elements, while sodium chloride is a compound. A compound is a substance that is made up of two or more elements that are chemically bonded together. In the case of sodium chloride, the sodium and chlorine atoms are held together by ionic bonds. This means that the sodium atoms have lost an electron, while the chlorine atoms have gained an electron. The resulting compound, sodium chloride, is a white, crystalline solid that is soluble in water.