Question

Statement 1 - $\text{NaCl}$ does not exist as discrete molecules in solid state.
Statement 2 - In $\text{NaCl}$ lattice, each ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ is attracted by six ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ ions and vice versa.

• A. Only statement 2 is correct
• B. Only statement 1 is correct
• C. Both the statements are correct
• D. Both the statements are incorrect

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both the statements are correct

$\text{NaCl}$ is an ionic compound. The cations are held together by electrostatic forces attractions in an ionic compound.

It is not possible for one cation to attract only one anion and vice-versa. As a result ionic compounds do not exist as an single independent cation-anion unit. Instead they exist in a 3-D lattice structure.

$\text{NaCl}$ exist in FCC structure lattice, where each ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ is attracted by 6 ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ and vice versa.
Hence, both the statements are correct.