77.0k views
4 votes
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.

2 Answers

2 votes

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

User Konrados
by
8.4k points
2 votes

Answer: Option (D) is the correct answer.

Step-by-step 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.

User Jacob Horbulyk
by
7.3k points

No related questions found

Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.