Question

Sodium and chlorine atoms combine readily because they both tend to lose electrons. True or false

Answer 1

False, Sodium loses electrons (making it a cation) and chlorine gains an electron (making it an anion). This is because both atoms need a full outer shell in order to bond.

Answer 2

Sodium is part of the group I which tends to lose an electron. On the other hand, chlorine atom is in group 17 which tends to gain one electron. The combination of these atoms is due to transfer of electron from one element to the other.