Final answer:
When a chlorine atom attracts an electron from sodium, the sodium atom becomes positively charged, forming a sodium cation with a +1 charge, while chlorine becomes a chloride ion with a -1 charge, resulting in the formation of NaCl.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a chlorine atom were to attract an electron from sodium, the sodium atom would become positively charged. This occurs because chlorine has a high affinity for electrons due to its seven valence electrons, and it is more energy-efficient for chlorine to gain one electron than to lose seven. When chlorine gains an extra electron, it becomes a chloride ion with a net negative charge. Conversely, when sodium loses its single valence electron, it becomes a sodium ion with a +1 charge, also known as a cation.
The transfer of an electron from sodium to chlorine results in the formation of two oppositely charged ions that are held together by an ionic bond, creating the ionic compound NaCl. This electron transfer satisfies the octet rule for both ions, resulting in complete outermost shells with stable electron configurations.