Question
What happens to the atoms of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) during the reaction 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl, and what type of chemical reaction is this?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In the reaction \(2 \text{Na} + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow 2 \text{NaCl}\), sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms undergo a chemical transformation to form sodium chloride (NaCl), which is commonly known as table salt.
### What Happens to the Atoms:
1. **Sodium Atoms (Na)**: Each sodium atom donates one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration (similar to that of noble gases). By losing one electron, sodium becomes a positively charged ion (\( \text{Na}^+ \)).
2. **Chlorine Molecule (\( \text{Cl}_2 \))**: The chlorine molecule consists of two chlorine atoms bonded together. Each chlorine atom needs to gain one electron to complete its outer electron shell. In this reaction, each chlorine atom accepts one electron from a sodium atom, becoming negatively charged ions (\( \text{Cl}^- \)).
3. **Formation of Ionic Bonds**: The sodium ions (\( \text{Na}^+ \)) and the chloride ions (\( \text{Cl}^- \)) then attract each other due to their opposite charges, forming ionic bonds. This leads to the formation of sodium chloride (NaCl).
### Type of Chemical Reaction:
This reaction is classified as a **synthesis reaction** or **combination reaction**, as two or more reactants (sodium and chlorine) combine to form a single product (sodium chloride). Additionally, since the reaction involves the transfer of electrons, it can also be described as an **ionic reaction**, as it results in the formation of ionic compounds.
In summary, during the reaction, sodium atoms lose electrons, chlorine molecules gain electrons, and they recombine to form the ionic compound sodium chloride.
### What Happens to the Atoms:
1. **Sodium Atoms (Na)**: Each sodium atom donates one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration (similar to that of noble gases). By losing one electron, sodium becomes a positively charged ion (\( \text{Na}^+ \)).
2. **Chlorine Molecule (\( \text{Cl}_2 \))**: The chlorine molecule consists of two chlorine atoms bonded together. Each chlorine atom needs to gain one electron to complete its outer electron shell. In this reaction, each chlorine atom accepts one electron from a sodium atom, becoming negatively charged ions (\( \text{Cl}^- \)).
3. **Formation of Ionic Bonds**: The sodium ions (\( \text{Na}^+ \)) and the chloride ions (\( \text{Cl}^- \)) then attract each other due to their opposite charges, forming ionic bonds. This leads to the formation of sodium chloride (NaCl).
### Type of Chemical Reaction:
This reaction is classified as a **synthesis reaction** or **combination reaction**, as two or more reactants (sodium and chlorine) combine to form a single product (sodium chloride). Additionally, since the reaction involves the transfer of electrons, it can also be described as an **ionic reaction**, as it results in the formation of ionic compounds.
In summary, during the reaction, sodium atoms lose electrons, chlorine molecules gain electrons, and they recombine to form the ionic compound sodium chloride.