* Sodium (Na): An alkali metal with one valence electron.
* Chlorine (Cl): A halogen with seven valence electrons.
Type of Bonding:
Sodium chloride exhibits ionic bonding. This type of bonding occurs when a metal (sodium) donates an electron to a non-metal (chlorine).
Here's how it works:
1. Sodium loses its valence electron to become a positively charged ion (Na⁺).
2. Chlorine gains the electron from sodium to become a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻).
3. Electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) forms the ionic bond, creating the stable compound sodium chloride.
This strong electrostatic attraction holds the ions together in a crystalline lattice structure, which explains the solid, crystalline nature of table salt.
