When a substance undergoes a chemical reaction, the atoms are rearranged into different molecules and a new substance is formed. When sodium is combined with chlorine, an essential substance to humans called sodium chloride (NaCl) is formed. This is often referred to as table salt. The following is the chemical reaction that takes place between sodium and chlorine to produce sodium chloride: 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl
In this reaction, two atoms of sodium (Na) combine with one molecule of chlorine gas (Cl2) to form two molecules of sodium chloride (NaCl). This reaction is represented by the chemical equation 2Na + Cl2 → 2NaCl.
During the reaction, the chlorine molecule (Cl2) breaks apart into two chlorine atoms (Cl). Each sodium atom (Na) then combines with one chlorine atom (Cl) to form a sodium chloride molecule (NaCl). This process is called a "redox" (reduction-oxidation) reaction, where sodium (Na) is oxidized (loses electrons) and chlorine (Cl2) is reduced (gains electrons).
Sodium chloride, also known as table salt, is an essential compound for humans. It is commonly used as a seasoning and preservative in food, as well as in various industries and processes like water treatment and chemical manufacturing.