Construct an explanation of how sodium and chlorine combine to form sodium chloride.

A) Chlorine metal loses a valence electron to become a cation and nonmetal sodium gains a valence electron to become an anion. These ions then form a bond through sharing valence electrons.

Eliminate

B) Nonmetal sodium loses a valence electron to become a cation and chlorine metal gains a valence electron to become an anion. These ions then form an ionic bond through opposite attraction.

C) Sodium metal loses a valence electron to become a cation and nonmetal chlorine gains a valence electron to become an anion. These then form a covalent bond through sharing valence electrons.

D) Sodium metal loses a valence electron to become a cation and nonmetal chlorine gains a valence electron to become an anion. These ions then form an ionic bond through electrostatic attraction.

Question

Chemistry

Zack Simmons

1 February, 11:18

Construct an explanation of how sodium and chlorine combine to form sodium chloride.

A) Chlorine metal loses a valence electron to become a cation and nonmetal sodium gains a valence electron to become an anion. These ions then form a bond through sharing valence electrons.

Eliminate

B) Nonmetal sodium loses a valence electron to become a cation and chlorine metal gains a valence electron to become an anion. These ions then form an ionic bond through opposite attraction.

C) Sodium metal loses a valence electron to become a cation and nonmetal chlorine gains a valence electron to become an anion. These then form a covalent bond through sharing valence electrons.

D) Sodium metal loses a valence electron to become a cation and nonmetal chlorine gains a valence electron to become an anion. These ions then form an ionic bond through electrostatic attraction.

+1

Answers (2)

Know the Answer?

Marisol · Answer 1

the answer is d).

Tarzan · Answer 2

The correct explanation is D.

Sodium being an Alkali Metal has a high tendency to lose its only valence electron to attain Neon configuration. In this process, it becomes positively charged, and hence becomes a Cation.

Chlorine is a non-metal that is one electron short of attaining Argon configuration, and hence readily takes the available electrons to become a negatively charged Anion. Since these two are oppositely charged, by the laws of electrostatics, they attract each other forming an Ionic Bond that requires considerable energy to break.