Understanding Ionic Bonding in Sodium Chloride

Chemical bonding occurs when atoms join together to form molecules. Understanding the types of chemical bonds is fundamental in chemistry. The two primary types of chemical bonds are ionic and covalent bonds. An ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions. In contrast, a covalent bond forms when two atoms share electrons.

Consider the compound sodium chloride (NaCl). Sodium (Na) has one electron in its outer shell, while chlorine (Cl) has seven electrons in its outer shell. When they bond, how do the electrons behave?