Question

Which statement best describes what happens next?

Answer 1

Answer: Option (d) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

An atom that gain electrons will acquire a negative charge resulting in the formation of an anion. An atom that loses electrons will acquire a positive charge resulting in the formation of a cation.

Sodium is a metal and its atomic number is 11 with electronic distribution 2, 8, 1. Whereas chlorine is a non-metal whose atomic number is 17 and its electronic distribution is 2, 8, 7.

Hence, in order to become stable sodium will lose one electron and it will acquire a positive charge. On the other hand, chlorine will gain one electron and thus, acquire a negative charge.

Hence, we can conclude that chlorine becomes an anion by gaining an electron from sodium.

Answer 2

The answer is number 4 (Chlorine becomes an anion by gaining an electron from sodium). This occurs because Sodium (Na) is a group 1 element, it does not have a high electronegativity. However, Chlorine, a halogen, has a high electronegativity, taking the electron from Sodium, forming an Ionic Bond.