Sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) become stable by forming an ionic bond and creating sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt. Here's how it works:

* Sodium (Na): Has one electron in its outermost shell. It wants to lose this electron to achieve a stable octet (8 electrons) in its outer shell.

* Chlorine (Cl): Has seven electrons in its outermost shell. It wants to gain one electron to achieve a stable octet.

The Process:

1. Sodium (Na) loses its one outer electron, becoming a positively charged ion called sodium ion (Na+).

2. Chlorine (Cl) gains the electron that sodium loses, becoming a negatively charged ion called chloride ion (Cl-).

3. Opposite charges attract. The positively charged sodium ion and the negatively charged chloride ion are attracted to each other, forming a strong electrostatic attraction.

The Result:

* The resulting compound, sodium chloride (NaCl), is a stable ionic compound with a neutral charge. The octet rule is satisfied for both sodium and chlorine, making them stable.

Key Points:

* Ionic bonds: Occur between metals (like sodium) and nonmetals (like chlorine).

* Octet Rule: Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable configuration of eight electrons in their outermost shell.

* Electrostatic attraction: The force that holds the oppositely charged ions together in an ionic bond.

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