Final answer:
Sodium chloride, known as table salt, is the result of combining the metal sodium with the gas chlorine, creating a vital household mineral used for seasoning and preserving foods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, plays a crucial role in various aspects of both our diet and food preservation. When sodium, a very reactive metal, combines with chlorine, a toxic gas, the resulting product is sodium chloride, an ionic compound that is harmless and vital for human consumption. Its primary use in seasoning foods to enhance flavor is an example of a mineral being used for household purposes.
Household use includes cooking, flavor enhancement, and as a preservative in various foods, demonstrating the transformation of simple elements into essential components of our diet.