Question

an atom can become an ion by losing electrons to or gaining electrons from another atom. ions are found in the compounds we use every day. this model shows how sodium and chlorine become ions in the formation of table salt, or sodium chloride (nacl). image of sodium and chlorine atom models with electron transfer (proton: +, neutron: ●, electron: ●) complete the sentences to explain the model. sodium dropdown an electron, and chlorine dropdown an electron. so the sodium dropdown: loses, gains omes a dropdown charged ion, and the chlorine atom becom dropdown charged ion.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze Sodium's Electron Change

Looking at the model, sodium (Na) has one valence electron (outermost shell). In the diagram, sodium is shown losing an electron (the arrow from sodium to chlorine for the electron transfer). So sodium loses an electron.

Step2: Analyze Chlorine's Electron Change

Chlorine (Cl) has 7 valence electrons. The diagram shows chlorine gaining the electron from sodium. So chlorine gains an electron.

Step3: Determine Ion Charges

• When an atom loses an electron, it has more protons than electrons, so it becomes positively charged (cation). Sodium loses an electron, so it becomes a positively charged ion.
• When an atom gains an electron, it has more electrons than protons, so it becomes negatively charged (anion). Chlorine gains an electron, so it becomes a negatively charged ion.

Answer:

Sodium \(\boldsymbol{\text{loses}}\) an electron, and chlorine \(\boldsymbol{\text{gains}}\) an electron. So the sodium atom becomes a \(\boldsymbol{\text{positively}}\) charged ion, and the chlorine atom becomes a \(\boldsymbol{\text{negatively}}\) charged ion.