QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Why do sodium and chloride combine as NaCl and not Na₂Cl or NaCl₂?
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step, explaining the chemical bonding principles:
Step 2:: Understand Electron Configuration
- Sodium (Na) has the electron configuration $$1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{6} 3s^{1}
- Chlorine (Cl) has the electron configuration 1s^{2} 2s^{2} 2p^{6} 3s^{2} 3p^{5}
Step 3:: Analyze Electron Valence
- Sodium wants to lose its single valence electron to achieve a stable octet - Chlorine wants to gain one electron to complete its valence shell
Step 4:: Ionic Bonding Mechanism
- Sodium loses one electron, becoming $$Na^{+}
- Chlorine gains one electron, becoming Cl^{-} - This creates a 1:1 ratio of ions
Step 5:: Explain Charge Balance
- The $$Na^{+}$$ ion has a +1 charge
- The Cl^{-} ion has a - 1 charge - These charges exactly balance each other, forming NaCl
Final Answer
Sodium and chloride combine as NaCl because this represents the most stable electron configuration, with a perfect 1:1 charge balance and complete electron shells for both ions.
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