Question

Sodium is strongly metallic while chlorine is strongly non-metallic. Which of the following statements supports the formation of a stable ionic salt NaCl from sodium and chlorine?

• A. Low value of I.E. of chlorine
• B. Low value of I.E. of sodium
• C. High value of E.A. of chlorine
• D. Both (B) and (C)

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both (B) and (C)

Stable ionic salt NaCl is formed due to both: low I.E. of Na as well as high E.A. of Cl. Low I.E. of Na helps in it becoming a cation easily by releasing an electron. Also, high E.A. of Cl helps in addition of the released electron to ground state chlorine.
I.E. – Ionization energy is the quantity of energy that an isolated, gaseous atom in the ground electronic state must absorb to discharge an electron, resulting in a cation.
E.A. - Electron affinity is defined as the change in energy (in $\frac{kJ}{mole}$) of a neutral atom (in the gaseous phase) when an electron is added to the atom to form a negative ion.