* Sodium ion (Na+): This ion is formed when a sodium atom loses one electron. It has a positive charge.
* Chloride ion (Cl-): This ion is formed when a chlorine atom gains one electron. It has a negative charge.
The bond between these ions is an ionic bond, where the opposite charges attract each other, forming a crystalline structure.
So, there are no atoms within a NaCl compound. Instead, it contains sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-) held together by electrostatic forces.