Sodium (Na):
* Loses an electron: Sodium has one electron in its outermost shell. It wants to have a full outer shell (like the noble gases), so it easily loses that single electron to become a positively charged ion (Na⁺).
* Forms a cation: The loss of an electron leaves sodium with a +1 charge, making it a cation.
Chlorine (Cl):
* Gains an electron: Chlorine has seven electrons in its outermost shell. It wants to have a full outer shell of eight, so it readily gains an electron to become a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻).
* Forms an anion: The gain of an electron gives chlorine a -1 charge, making it an anion.
Ionic Bond Formation:
* Electrostatic attraction: The positively charged sodium ion (Na⁺) is strongly attracted to the negatively charged chloride ion (Cl⁻). This electrostatic attraction is what forms the ionic bond.
* Formation of NaCl: The oppositely charged ions come together to form the compound sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt.
In Summary:
* Sodium (Na) loses an electron and becomes Na⁺ (cation).
* Chlorine (Cl) gains an electron and becomes Cl⁻ (anion).
* The oppositely charged ions attract each other to form the ionic compound NaCl.
