The Basics
* Sodium (Na): Has one valence electron (electron in its outermost shell).
* Chlorine (Cl): Has seven valence electrons.
The Reaction
Sodium has a strong tendency to lose its single valence electron, becoming a positively charged ion (Na+). Chlorine, on the other hand, has a strong tendency to gain one electron to fill its outermost shell, becoming a negatively charged ion (Cl-).
When sodium and chlorine react, the sodium atom transfers its single valence electron to the chlorine atom. This transfer creates an electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions. This attraction is what holds them together in an ionic bond.
The Result
The resulting compound is sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt. It's a neutral compound because the positive charge of the sodium ion (Na+) balances out the negative charge of the chloride ion (Cl-).
Key Points
* Ionic bonding: The transfer of electrons is the defining characteristic of ionic bonding.
* Electrostatic attraction: The opposite charges of the ions hold them together in a strong bond.
* Stable configuration: Both sodium and chlorine achieve a stable electron configuration by gaining or losing electrons. Sodium becomes like the noble gas neon, and chlorine becomes like the noble gas argon.
