How does the pair of atoms, Sodium and Chlorine, usually form an ionic bond?

Question

How does the pair of atoms, Sodium and Chlorine, usually form an ionic bond?

Answer 1

Na has the electron configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s1

Cl has the electron configuration 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p5

Na loses one e- and Cl gains one e- to form the Na1+ and Cl1- ions. The oppositely charged ions attract each other to form the ionic bond.

Answer 2

To have an ionic, you need an electron donor, and an electron receiver. The Na gives the valence electron to the Cl. When this happens, an electron is directly passed from one to another, you have an ionic bond. It's ionic because when placed into water, it will break apart into complement Na+ and Cl- ions.

Answer 3

They share their valence electrons, which are the electrons in their outermost shell. if you look at the periodic table (which is extremely helpful in identifying patterns), you will see how the the column, in which the element is located in, determines the number of electrons in it's outermost shell.

Sodium and Chlorine will form a bond in order to both have eight electrons, as is the goal of the elements.