Learning Objective: Visualise electron transfer in ionic bonding between sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) to form sodium chloride (NaCl).
Ionic Bonding: Na + Cl → NaCl
Na Cl e- transfer + Na⁺ - Cl⁻ ionic bond NaCl Crystal Lattice Structure Alternating Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in 3D cubic arrangement
1A sodium (Na) atom has 1 valence electron. A chlorine (Cl) atom has 7 valence electrons. Na wants to lose 1 e-; Cl wants to gain 1 e- to achieve stable octets.
Sodium (Na)
Atomic #11
1 valence e-
Metal
Chlorine (Cl)
Atomic #17
7 valence e-
Non-metal
Na becomes
Na⁺ cation
(lost 1 e-)
Cl becomes
Cl⁻ anion
(gained 1 e-)
Bond type
Ionic bond
Electrostatic attraction