Re: The OFF really boring thread
I was asked today-in a hospital,no less,what the difference between Sodium Chloride & Sodium Chlorine is...yes,really...so,for any others wondering...
Solid sodium chloride is an ionic compound. This means it consists of positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl−) arranged in a cubic lattice.
On the other hand,sodium metal and chlorine gas are elements. Na has an electron configuration of [Ne] 3s1,so it really wants to lose that single electron and form a full outer shell as an Na+ ion. This makes it highly reactive towards species which can easily accept an electron,such as Cl2, H2O etc. Na+ has a full outer shell, being isoelectronic with neon,thus is quite happy to remain an ion and
not react. Chlorine,however,with an electron configuration of [Ne] 3s2 3p5,
really wants to gain a single electron to get a full outer shell,thus becoming isoelectronic with argon,as the Cl− ion. This makes it highly reactive towards species which can easily
donate an electron, such as Na. THUS,t'is simply explained.