Sodium (Na) is a soft, silvery-white metal that is very reactive. Chlorine (Cl) is a greenish yellow gas that is toxic to humans. When these two elements are combined, they form the compound sodium chloride (NaCl), also known as table salt. Sodium chloride crystals are colorless and often used to season food. Which statement best explains why the combination of sodium and chlorine must be a chemical reaction?
A.
Sodium chloride has properties that are different from both sodium and chlorine.
B.
Sodium chloride has properties that are identical to that of elemental sodium.
C.
Sodium chloride is not made up of the same elements that are found in sodium and chlorine.
D.
Sodium chloride has properties that are identical to that of elemental chlorine.
A. Sodium chloride has properties that are different from both sodium and chlorine.
A. Sodium chloride has properties that are different from both sodium and chlorine.
The correct answer is A. Sodium chloride has properties that are different from both sodium and chlorine.
Explanation: In a chemical reaction, new substances with different properties are formed. Sodium and chlorine are both elements with distinct properties. Sodium is a soft, silvery-white metal, while chlorine is a greenish-yellow gas. When sodium and chlorine combine, a chemical reaction occurs, resulting in the formation of sodium chloride, which is a compound with different properties. Sodium chloride exists as colorless crystals and is commonly used to season food. Therefore, the combination of sodium and chlorine must be a chemical reaction.
Which statement about sodium chloride is correct?(1 point)
Responses
The sodium atom transfers electrons to the chlorine atoms to form ionic bonds.
The sodium atom transfers electrons to the chlorine atoms to form ionic bonds.
The sodium atom transfers electrons to the chlorine atoms to form covalent bonds.
The sodium atom transfers electrons to the chlorine atoms to form covalent bonds.
The sodium atom and the chlorine atoms share electrons to form ionic bonds.
The sodium atom and the chlorine atoms share electrons to form ionic bonds.
The sodium atom and the chlorine atoms share electrons to form covalent bonds.