Question

Sodium chloride is an ionic compound. The reaction below shows how sodium chloride forms from sodium and chlorine. Which statements describe this reaction? Check all that apply.

2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s)


Each sodium atom loses one electron.

Each chlorine atom loses one electron.

Each chlorine atom gains two electrons.

The charge of the sodium ion in NaCl is +2.

The charge of the chloride ion in NaCl is -1.

Answer 1

- Each sodium atom loses one electron. — True (Na → Na+ + e−)
- Each chlorine atom loses one electron. — False
- Each chlorine atom gains two electrons. — False (each Cl gains one electron: Cl + e− → Cl−)
- The charge of the sodium ion in NaCl is +2. — False (Na+ is +1)
- The charge of the chloride ion in NaCl is -1. — True