* Sodium (Na) is a metal and has a tendency to lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. This makes it a positively charged ion, called a cation (Na+).
* Chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal and has a tendency to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. This makes it a negatively charged ion, called an anion (Cl-).
The strong electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions (Na+ and Cl-) results in the formation of an ionic bond, leading to the creation of sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt.
