Answer: to achieve a stable octet of electrons in their outer shell
Explanation:
- Sodium (Na) has an atomic number of 11, and an electronic configuration of 1s2, 2s2 2p6, 3s1.
- Chlorine (CI) Sodium (Na) has an atomic number of 17, and an electronic configuration of 1s2, 2s2 2p6, 3s2 3p5.
Hence, sodium donates its single valence electron to chlorine, thereby achieving a stable octet structure of 1s2, 2s2 2p6 while chlorine accept the single electron also forming a stable octet structure of 1s2, 2s2 2p6, 3s2 3p6. Therefore, the reaction yields NaCl, an ionic compound with ionic (electrovalent) bond.
Na + Cl --> NaCl
Thus, Sodium(Na) and Chlorine (CI) want to form a lonic Bond because both acheive a completely filled outermost shell (octet structure)
