Final answer:
Salt (NaCl) forms an ionic bond where sodium transfers an electron to chlorine, creating Na+ and Cl- ions. In contrast, chlorine gas (Cl₂) forms a covalent bond where the two chlorine atoms share electrons equally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the bonds in salt (NaCl) and chlorine gas (Cl₂) lies in how the electrons are managed between the atoms. In the formation of NaCl, which is also known as table salt, sodium (Na) donates its one valence electron to chlorine (Cl), creating sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). This type of chemical bond is called an ionic bond, an electrostatic attraction between ions of opposite charges.
On the other hand, chlorine gas (Cl₂) is made up of two chlorine atoms sharing a pair of electrons, resulting in an equality of charge distribution. This type of bond is known as a covalent bond, specifically a nonpolar covalent bond since it occurs between two atoms of the same element, ensuring equal sharing of electrons.
Therefore, the correct statement is: B. Salt transfers electrons while chlorine gas shares electrons.