The bond between sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) in salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) is an ionic bond. This bond forms because sodium, a metal, donates one electron from its outer shell to chlorine, a nonmetal, which accepts the electron. As a result, sodium becomes a positively charged ion (Na⁺) and chlorine becomes a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻). These oppositely charged ions are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction, creating a stable ionic compound
. In sodium chloride, each Na⁺ ion is surrounded by six Cl⁻ ions and vice versa, forming a crystal lattice structure that contributes to the compound's characteristic high melting and boiling points and solid crystalline nature
. While the bond is predominantly ionic, there is a slight partial covalent character due to some electron sharing, but this is minimal compared to the dominant ionic interaction
. In summary:
- Sodium loses one electron → Na⁺ (cation)
- Chlorine gains one electron → Cl⁻ (anion)
- Electrostatic attraction between Na⁺ and Cl⁻ forms the ionic bond
- Resulting in a crystalline solid known as sodium chloride (table salt)
