How is the formation of sodium chloride represented as a redox process?

1 Answer
Jan 21, 2017

#NaCl(s) rarr Na(s) + 1/2Cl_2(g)#

Explanation:

Sodium ion is reduced:

# Na^(+) + e^(-)rarr Na(s)#

And chloride is oxidized:

#Cl^(-) rarr 1/2Cl_2+e^(-)#

And we simply sum the reactions to get the overall redox process:

#NaCl(s) rarr Na(s) + 1/2Cl_2(g)#

Of course, the electrolysis of sodium chloride is non-spontaneous, and would require not some little electrical input.