Table Salt or NaCl is composed of sodium and chlorine. While the individual elements of sodium and chlorine are very reactive, t
ogether they form a popular cooking and baking ingredient. In order to form a salt, an electron must be transferred from one element to the other. Which element (Na or Cl) is more likely to steal an outer electron from the other? Why?
Chlorine is more likely to steal a valence electron from sodium.
Explanation:
Sodium is number 11 on the periodic table with one valence electron. Belonging to the first group, it's one of the alkali metal, which are known to be highly reactive. Chlorine is number 17 with seven valence electrons, and it's in the second-to-last group of halogens--also very reactive.
Considering that elements with one valence electron are just about 100% likely to give up electrons to reach a stable state, sodium would be the element that is more likely to lose its valence electron to chlorine. In other words, chlorine would be the electron thief.
