Question

Which statement best describes how atoms combine to form sodium chloride (NaCl)?
A.
A positively charged sodium ion and a positively charged chlorine ion form an covalent bond.
B.
A positively charged sodium ion and a negatively charged chlorine ion form an covalent bond.
C.
A positively charged sodium ion and a positively charged chlorine ion form an ionic bond.
D.
A positively charged sodium ion and a negatively charged chlorine ion form an ionic bond.

Answer 1

The answer is D. A positively charged sodium Ion and a negatively charged chlorine ion form an ionic bond.

Answer 2

Answer: Option (D) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

A bond generated after transfer of an electron from one atom to another is known as an ionic bond. And, a bond generated by sharing of electron(s) between two atoms is known as a covalent bond.

Sodium is a metal with atomic number 11 and electronic distribution 2, 8, 1. On the other hand, chlorine is a non-metal with atomic number 17 and electronic distribution 2, 8, 7.

So, in order to attain stability sodium will lose one electron and develop a positive charge as $Na^{+}$. Whereas chlorine at the same time will take up one electron from sodium atom and acquire a negative charge as $Cl^{-}$.

Thus, we can conclude that the statement a positively charged sodium ion and a negatively charged chlorine ion form an ionic bond.