Question

Question #7dcf9

Answer 1

The sodium ion crystal is composed of an ionic molecule formed by a positive metal sodium ion and a negative chloride ion.

Sodium is an alkali metal with an electron configuration of
`1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1`
In order to satisfy the rule of octet and gain the stability of a noble gas configuration the sodium atom will readily release the single electron in the `3s` orbital.
This makes sodium a +1 ion as it now has 11 protons and only 10 electrons. `Na^(+1)`

Chlorine is a halogen with an electron configuration of
`1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5`
In order to satisfy the rule of octet and gain the stability of a noble gas configuration the chlorine atom will readily take on a single electron in the `3p` orbital.
This makes chlorine a -1 ion as it now has 17 protons and 18 electrons. `Cl^(-1)`

Due to electrochemical attraction, the positive ion and the negative ions will form an ionic bond when the charges on the ions are equal and opposite. (Paula Abdul taught us, "Opposites Attract" in her 1980s hit song.) This attraction takes place with one `Na^(+1)` cation and one `Cl^(-1)` anion forming the `NaCl` molecule.

Therefor the salt crystal formed of `NaCl` will always have a one to one ration of sodium and chloride ions.

I hope this was helpful.
SMARTERTEACHER