Final answer:
In the formation of sodium chloride, two steps result in a release of energy: attraction of Na+ and Cl- to form NaCl, and the conversion of Na(s) to Na(g) as the sodium atom donates an electron to chlorine atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of an ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. In the case of sodium chloride (NaCl), two steps result in a release of energy. The first step is the attraction of Na+ and Cl- ions to form NaCl. The second step is the conversion of Na(s) to Na(g) as the sodium atom donates an electron to chlorine atoms.