The chemical name of salt, specifically the type commonly used as table salt, is sodium chloride.
Understanding Sodium Chloride
Sodium chloride is formed through ionic bonding. This process involves:
- Sodium ions (Na+): Sodium atoms lose an electron, becoming positively charged ions.
- Chloride ions (Cl–): Chlorine atoms gain an electron, becoming negatively charged ions.
- Ionic Bond: The oppositely charged ions are attracted to each other, forming an ionic bond.
Chemical Formula
The chemical formula for sodium chloride is NaCl. This indicates that there is one sodium cation (Na+) for every chloride anion (Cl-).
| Ion | Charge |
|---|---|
| Sodium (Na+) | +1 |
| Chloride (Cl-) | -1 |
Formation
Sodium chloride forms a crystal lattice structure where sodium and chloride ions are arranged in a repeating pattern. This is why salt appears as small, cubic crystals.
