sodium is soft white metal that catches fire easily while chlorine is a poisonous gas . however thier combination NaCL is the edible common salt
Answers
Explanation:
Solid sodium chloride is an ionic compound. This means it consists of positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl−) arranged in a cubic lattice.
On the other hand, sodium metal and chlorine gas are elements. Na has an electron configuration of [Ne] 3s1 and so it really wants to lose that single electron to form a full outer shell as a Na+ ion. This makes it highly reactive towards species which can easily accept an electron such as Cl2, H2O etc. Na+ has a full outer shell, being isoelectronic with neon, and so it is quite happy to stay as an ion and not react. Chlorine, with an electron configuration of [Ne] 3s2 3p5, really wants to gain a single electron to get a full outer shell, isoelectronic with argon, as the Cl− ion. This makes it highly reactive towards species which can easily donate an electron, such as Na.