Final answer:
Salt is represented by the chemical abbreviation NaCl because it is an ionic compound composed of sodium cations (Na+) and chloride anions (Cl-).
Step-by-step explanation:
Salt is represented by the chemical abbreviation NaCl because it is an ionic compound composed of sodium cations, Na+, and chloride anions, Cl-, combined in a 1:1 ratio. The element sodium is a reactive metal and chlorine is a gas. When sodium and chlorine atoms react, they form the ionic compound sodium chloride, which is commonly known as salt.