International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Chemistry Practice Exam

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In the formation of sodium chloride, what occurs to the sodium atom?

An atom of sodium gains an electron
An atom of sodium loses one electron
An atom of sodium shares an electron
An atom of sodium loses two electrons

The correct answer is: An atom of sodium loses one electron

In the formation of sodium chloride, the sodium atom undergoes a process where it loses one electron. Sodium is an alkali metal, and it has one electron in its outermost shell (the third energy level). The loss of this single electron allows sodium to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to that of the noble gas neon. When sodium loses this electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (Na+). This ion formation is essential for the creation of ionic bonds in sodium chloride (NaCl), as the sodium ion will then interact with the chloride ion (Cl-) that has gained an electron. The transfer of the electron from sodium to chlorine results in the formation of this stable ionic compound. This transfer is driven by the tendency of atoms to achieve a full outer electron shell, which contributes significantly to the stability of the resulting compound.