Question

compare the sodium atom and chlorine atom to the ions they form in the ionic compound, nacl. then, complete the sentences. a sodium atom has , and a chlorine atom has . when sodium transfers a valence electron to chlorine, the sodium cation and chloride anion each have

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze sodium atom

Sodium (Na) has atomic number 11. Its electron configuration is \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{1}\). So, a sodium atom has 1 valence electron.

Step2: Analyze chlorine atom

Chlorine (Cl) has atomic number 17. Its electron configuration is \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{5}\). So, a chlorine atom has 7 valence electrons.

Step3: Analyze ions formed

When sodium transfers a valence electron to chlorine:

• Sodium cation (\(Na^{+}\)) has electron configuration \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}\) (8 valence electrons).
• Chloride anion (\(Cl^{-}\)) has electron configuration \(1s^{2}2s^{2}2p^{6}3s^{2}3p^{6}\) (8 valence electrons).

Answer:

A sodium atom has 1 valence electron, and a chlorine atom has 7 valence electrons. When sodium transfers a valence electron to chlorine, the sodium cation and chloride anion each have 8 valence electrons.