Question

Does the size of Na and Cl atoms remain same when they react to form NaCl ? give reason for your answer

Answer 1

Answer:

Sodium is a metal. It loses an electron when forming compounds. The loss of the outermost electron also means that all the electrons in Na^+ are more tightly held than they are in the atom (a sodium atom has 11 protons and 11 electrons, but a sodium ion has 11 protons and only 10 electrons). Thus, as expected the cation is smaller than its parent atom.

Chlorine is a non-metal. When reacting with a metal, it gains electrons. The chloride ion, Cl^-, not only has more electrons than protons (18 versus 17) but also has an increase in electron repulsions in its outermost subshell. Again, as expected, the anion is larger than its parent atom.