In the reaction of sodium metal with chlorine gas to form sodium chloride, how does chlorine form an anion? Write an equation to support your answer.

I know that chlorine becomes an anion since it's gaining an electron from sodium, but how do I show that in an equation?

Yes, Cl atom forms an anion by adding an electron. Cl + e ==> Cl^- or if you want the entire equation it is

2Na + Cl2 ==> 2Na^+ + 2Cl^-

To show how chlorine forms an anion, you can write a balanced chemical equation for the reaction between sodium metal and chlorine gas. In this reaction, sodium donates an electron to chlorine, resulting in the formation of sodium chloride.

The equation can be written as follows:

2Na(s) + Cl2(g) → 2NaCl(s)

In this equation, Na represents sodium metal, Cl2 represents chlorine gas, and NaCl represents sodium chloride. The coefficient of "2" in front of Na and NaCl indicates that two sodium atoms react with one chlorine molecule to form two molecules of sodium chloride. This balanced equation demonstrates the transfer of electrons, where chlorine gains an electron donated by sodium, and forms a chloride anion (Cl-).