Answer to Question #65808 in General Chemistry for Lexi

Question

For the ionic compound, NaCl, what type of ion is Na? Cl?

Answer 1

Sodium chloride NaCl is salt wich contains two atoms: one of them is sodium Na is metal, second is chlorine Cl is nonmetal. That’s why chemical bond between metal and nonmetal is called ionic bond so compound NaCl is ionic compound. Besides atom Na has lower electronegativity value (0,9) than electonegativity value of Cl (3,0) that’s why atom Cl accepts electrons and has negative charge (Cl - ), it’s called anion (negatively charged particle). Conversely atom Na accepts electrons and has positive charge (Na + ), it’s called cation (positively charged particle). The dissociation process:
NaCl → Na+ + Cl-

Answer: Na is cation; Cl is anion.