Question

A) Show the formation of sodium chloride from sodium and chlorine atoms by transfer of atoms.

B) Sodium chloride is hard. Why?

Answer 1

Answer:

A) Sodium and chlorine contain one and seven electrons, respectively, in their outermost shells. Hence, sodium transfers its one electron to chlorine atom and their octets get stabilised. In a sodium chloride molecule, sodium atom transfers its one electron to chlorine atom to form an ionic bond.

B)Sodium chloride crystals are brittle, imagine what happens to the crystal if a stress is applied which shifts the ion layers slightly. Ions of the same charge are brought side-by-side and so the crystal repels itself to pieces!

Explanation:

Answer 2

First image in answer A

Second image in answer B