Question

the diagram below shows the atoms involved in forming table salt. which statement best describes what happens next? sodium becomes an anion by losing an electron to chlorine. chlorine becomes a cation by losing an electron to sodium. sodium becomes a cation by gaining an electron from chlorine. chlorine becomes an anion by gaining an electron from sodium.

Explanation:

• Sodium (Na) has one valence electron. It tends to lose this electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. When it loses an electron, it forms a cation (\(Na^+\)).
• Chlorine (Cl) has seven valence electrons. It tends to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. When it gains an electron, it forms an anion (\(Cl^-\)).
• In the formation of table salt (\(NaCl\)), sodium donates an electron to chlorine.

Answer:

Chlorine becomes an anion by gaining an electron from sodium.