Sodium Chloride

Definition

Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, is a chemical compound composed of one sodium (Na) atom and one chlorine (Cl) atom. It is an ionic compound that is essential for various physiological processes in living organisms and has numerous industrial and household applications.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sodium chloride has the chemical formula NaCl and a molar mass of 58.44 g/mol.
2. It is an ionic compound formed by the complete transfer of an electron from a sodium atom to a chlorine atom.
3. Sodium chloride is the main component of table salt and is essential for maintaining proper fluid balance and nerve function in the human body.
4. Sodium chloride is a common example of a salt, which is a compound formed by the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base.
5. Sodium chloride is widely distributed in nature, occurring in seawater, salt deposits, and as a component of many minerals.

Review Questions

• Explain how the formula mass and mole concept relate to sodium chloride.
  • The formula mass of sodium chloride is calculated by adding the atomic masses of one sodium atom (22.99 g/mol) and one chlorine atom (35.45 g/mol), resulting in a total formula mass of 58.44 g/mol. The mole concept is used to quantify the amount of sodium chloride, where one mole of NaCl contains 6.022 × 10^23 formula units (Avogadro's number). This relationship between formula mass and the mole allows for the conversion between mass, moles, and the number of particles of sodium chloride, which is essential for stoichiometric calculations in chemistry.
• Describe the ionic bonding in sodium chloride and how it contributes to the general properties of ionic compounds.
  • Sodium chloride is an ionic compound formed by the complete transfer of an electron from a sodium atom to a chlorine atom. This results in the formation of a positively charged sodium ion (Na$^{+}$) and a negatively charged chloride ion (Cl$^{-}$), which are held together by strong electrostatic forces known as an ionic bond. The ionic bonding in sodium chloride and other ionic compounds leads to high melting and boiling points, as well as high solubility in polar solvents like water, due to the strong intermolecular forces between the ions. Additionally, ionic compounds are typically crystalline solids at room temperature and have high electrical conductivity when dissolved in water or molten.
• Explain the occurrence, preparation, and properties of sodium chloride in the context of the halogens and other nonmetals.
  • Sodium chloride is the most abundant halide in the Earth's crust and is widely distributed in nature, occurring in seawater, salt deposits, and as a component of many minerals. It can be prepared by the reaction between the highly reactive halogen, chlorine, and the soft, silvery-white alkali metal, sodium. Sodium chloride is a stable, nonflammable, and colorless crystalline solid at room temperature, with a high melting point of 801$^{ ext{°}}$C. As a halide compound, sodium chloride shares the general properties of the nonmetal halogens, such as high electronegativity, the ability to form covalent bonds, and the tendency to form ionic compounds with metallic elements. The unique properties of sodium chloride make it an essential compound for various industrial, agricultural, and biological applications.

Related terms

Ionic Bond: A type of chemical bond formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, such as the bond between sodium and chloride in sodium chloride.

Halogen: A group of five highly reactive nonmetallic elements in the periodic table, including chlorine, which is a key component of sodium chloride.

Mole:

A unit of measurement in chemistry that represents the amount of a substance, and is used to calculate the formula mass of compounds like sodium chloride.