Question

The illustration depicts the formation of an ionic chemical bond between sodium and chlorine atoms. Why is the resulting compound more stable than the individual atoms?

Answer 1

Generally put, all atoms that lack the 8 valence electrons or maximum amount of electrons in its outer shell "want" to be chemically stable. To become stable, atoms that lack a filled outer electron shell, like Sodium, Na, have to give away its two outermost electrons to chlorine, Cl, which only needs one more electron to completely fill its outermost electron shell. Thus, through this process, the newly formed compound, Sodium Chloride, otherwise known as table salt, is chemically balanced as well as stable.

Answer 2

Answer;

The transferred electron from lithium to fluorine provides each atom with a full outer energy level.

Explanation;

• Ionic compounds are compounds that are formed as a result of ionic bond between metal and non-metal. This occurs as a result of transfer of electrons between the atoms involved where one losses electrons to form a cation and the other gains electrons to form an anion.

• The metal atom involved in the formation of ionic bond such as lithium atom, looses electron(s) to attain stable configuration while the non-metal atom, such as fluorine gains electrons to attain a stable configuration;
• Therefore;the transferred electron from lithium to fluorine provides each atom with a full outer energy level.