Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Sodium has 1 electron in its outermost shell, and chlorine has 7 electrons. ... If sodium can transfer it's "spare" electron to chlorine (as shown above), both atoms will satisfy their full outer shell requirements, and an ionic bond will be formed. They combine as atoms, and separate as ions. When sodium and chlorine atoms come together to form sodium chloride (NaCl), they transfer an electron. ... Because the sodium ion has a positive charge, and the chlorine ion has a negative charge, they are attracted to each other, and form an ionic bond.
When a sodium atom transfers an electron to a chlorine atom, forming a sodium cation (Na+) and a chloride anion (Cl-), both ions have complete valence shells, and are energetically more stable. ... The reaction is extremely exothermic, producing a bright yellow light and a great deal of heat energy.