Question

The Na and Cl ions have electron structures that are identical to which two inert gases?

1) Neon and Argon
2) Helium and Krypton
3) Xenon and Radon
4) Nitrogen and Oxygen

Answer 1

The Na+ and Cl- ions have electron structures identical to the noble gases neon and argon, respectively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electron structures of the Na and Cl ions, after Na loses one electron and Cl gains one electron, are identical to the noble gases neon (Ne) and argon (Ar), respectively. For the Na+ ion, it loses one electron to have a full octet similar to Neon, which has an electron configuration of 2s2 2p6. The Cl− ion gains an electron to also have a full octet, mirroring the electron structure of Argon with an electron configuration of 3s2 3p6.