* Sodium (Na) loses one electron to become a positively charged sodium ion (Na+). This makes it stable because it now has a full outer shell of electrons, like the noble gas neon (Ne).
* Chlorine (Cl) gains one electron to become a negatively charged chloride ion (Cl-). This also makes it stable because it now has a full outer shell of electrons, like the noble gas argon (Ar).
The resulting ions, Na+ and Cl-, are attracted to each other due to their opposite charges, forming an ionic compound called sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt.
This process is an example of ionic bonding, where the transfer of electrons creates stable ions that are held together by electrostatic attraction.
