Formation of sodium chloride class 10

by Remedial Classes on August 16, 2023 in Class10

We have already discussed sodium ion and chloride ion formation, today we are going to learn the formation of sodium chloride.

Formation of sodium chloride

Before we jump into the topic we must know why the atoms of two elements combine together?

Each and every atom of an element has a tendency to achieve the nearest inert gas configuration or stable electronic configuration or to complete its octet.

This process is done by the transfer of electrons.

Sodium chloride is an ionic compound. An ionic bond is formed in the formation of sodium chloride by the combination of sodium and chlorine.

Electronic configuration of sodium atom

`1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^1`

Electronic configuration of a chloride atom

`1s^2 2s^2 2p^6 3s^2 3p^5`

Formation of sodium ion takes place by losing or donating one electron from the outermost shell of the sodium atom.

Formation of chloride ion takes place by accepting one electron in the outermost shell.

When sodium and chlorine react, the atoms of both elements tend to complete their octets.

Sodium atom complete its octet by losing one electron.

`Na → Na^+ + 1e^-`

2,8,1 2,8

The chlorine atom completes the octet by accepting one electron donated by sodium

`Cl + 1e^- → Cl^-`

2,8,7 2,8,8

The formation of sodium chloride is the result of the transfer of electrons between sodium and chlorine atoms.

Sodium and chloride ions are oppositely charged ions and are held together by a strong electrostatic force of attraction.

Actually, sodium chloride is not NaCl, but an aggregation of oppositely charged `Na^+` and `Cl^-`.

Sodium chloride is an ionic compound and in the compound, each cation tends to attract as many anions and each anion tends to attract as many cations and form a three-dimensional structure that is called a crystal lattice.