Question

multiple-choice question
why do sodium and chlorine ions stick together?
because after the electron is transferred, both ions have a negative charge.
because after the electron is transferred, neither atom has a charge.
because after the electron is transferred, the ions have opposite charges.
because after the electron is transferred, both ions have a positive charge.
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Explanation:

Sodium (Na) loses an electron to become a positively charged ion (\(Na^+\)), and chlorine (Cl) gains that electron to become a negatively charged ion (\(Cl^-\)). Opposite charges attract, so the sodium ion (positive) and chloride ion (negative) stick together due to electrostatic attraction between opposite charges. The first option is wrong because they don't both have negative charges. The second is wrong as they do have charges after electron transfer. The fourth is wrong as they don't both have positive charges. Only the third option correctly states that after electron transfer, the ions have opposite charges (positive and negative) which cause them to stick together.

Answer:

C. Because after the electron is transferred, the ions have opposite charges. (Note: Assuming the options are labeled A, B, C, D in order, the third option would be C. If the original options had different labels, adjust accordingly, but based on the order: first option A, second B, third C, fourth D. So the correct one is the third option, e.g., C. Because after the electron is transferred, the ions have opposite charges.)