Sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) react chemically to form sodium chloride (NaCl), which is common table salt.
Here's a breakdown:
* Sodium is a highly reactive metal.
* Chlorine is a highly reactive non-metal.
* When they react, sodium loses an electron, becoming a positively charged sodium ion (Na+).
* Chlorine gains that electron, becoming a negatively charged chloride ion (Cl-).
* The opposite charges attract each other, forming an ionic bond and creating the compound sodium chloride (NaCl).
This reaction is a classic example of an ionic bond and is fundamental to understanding how many chemical compounds form.