Question

(b)

Sodium atoms react with chlorine atoms to produce sodium chloride (NaCl).
Describe what happens when a sodium atom reacts with a chlorine atom
Write about electron transfer in your answer

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

When sodium reacts with with chlorine atoms, an electrovalent bond is formed as a result of this interaction

The driving force for this interatomic interaction is the need for both sodium and chlorine to attain a stable electronic configuration.

Sodium has one valence electron, Chlorine has 7 valence electrons.

Na = 2, 8, 1

Cl = 2, 8, 7

Sodium loses one electron as the less electronegative specie;

Na → Na⁺ + e⁻

Chlorine then gains the one electron:

Cl + e → Cl⁻

Combine reaction;

Na⁺ + Cl⁻ → NaCl

The Na transfers an electron to Cl and thereby becomes positively charged. The chlorine becomes negatively charged. The electrostatic attraction between the two develops the ionic bond.