Question

How is sodium chloride different from its constituent elements?

Answer 1

The solution is as follows:

1. Sodium chloride is white crystalline while sodium grey solid metal and chlorine is gas.

2. Sodium and chlorine give exothermic reactions with water while sodium chloride remains unreactive with water.

2 Na (s) + 2 H₂O(l) ​$\to$2 NaOH(aq) + H₂(g)

Cl₂(g) + H₂O(l) $\to$HOCl(aq) + H⁺(aq) + Cl^-(aq)