* Sodium (Na) is a metal and tends to lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. This makes it a cation with a +1 charge (Na+).
* Chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal and tends to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. This makes it an anion with a -1 charge (Cl-).
* Ionic bonds occur when a metal atom loses an electron to a nonmetal atom, forming oppositely charged ions that are attracted to each other electrostatically.
Therefore, sodium and chlorine form an ionic bond to create sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt.
