Here's how to balance the reaction between sodium and chlorine gas to produce sodium chloride:

Unbalanced Equation:

Na + Cl₂ → NaCl

Balancing the Equation:

1. Count the atoms:

* On the left side, we have 1 Na atom and 2 Cl atoms.

* On the right side, we have 1 Na atom and 1 Cl atom.

2. Adjust the coefficients:

* To balance the chlorine atoms, place a coefficient of 2 in front of NaCl:

Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl

3. Recount the atoms:

* Now, we have 1 Na atom and 2 Cl atoms on both sides of the equation.

Balanced Equation:

2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl