Sodium, Na+1 and chlorine Cl-1 often react together to form a molecule they do this because
sodium gives an electron away chlorine picks up the electron
chlorine gives an electron away sodium picks up the electron
they are near each other on the periodic table
they are far away from each other on the periodic table
#1 is correct; #4 is correct is many circumstances.
Sodium, Na+1, and chlorine, Cl-1, often react together to form a molecule due to the exchange of electrons. Sodium has one valence electron in its outer shell, and chlorine has seven valence electrons in its outer shell.
The process of sodium giving away an electron to chlorine is called ionization or ion formation. When sodium donates its lone valence electron, it becomes a positively charged ion with a +1 charge, denoted as Na+1. Simultaneously, chlorine accepts the donated electron and becomes a negatively charged ion with a -1 charge, denoted as Cl-1.
This electron exchange occurs because sodium has a tendency to lose its valence electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. By losing one electron, sodium attains the electron configuration of neon, a noble gas. On the other hand, chlorine has a tendency to gain one electron to complete its octet and achieve the electron configuration of argon, another noble gas.
The attraction between the oppositely charged sodium and chlorine ions leads to the formation of an ionic bond. The resulting molecule is called sodium chloride (NaCl), which is a common salt.
To determine why sodium and chlorine react with each other, we can consider their positions on the periodic table. Sodium is located in Group 1, also known as the alkali metals, while chlorine is in Group 17, known as the halogens. These groups are located on opposite sides of the periodic table.
Elements in Group 1 have a tendency to lose electrons, and elements in Group 17 have a tendency to gain electrons. Therefore, sodium and chlorine are positioned in a way that facilitates their electron exchange, making them highly reactive towards each other.
In summary, sodium and chlorine react together because sodium donates an electron to chlorine, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions. This electron exchange occurs because sodium has a tendency to lose its valence electron, while chlorine has a tendency to gain an electron. This reactivity is due to their positions on the periodic table, with sodium being an alkali metal and chlorine being a halogen.