Question

The actual formula of sodium chloride is:

• A. $\mathrm{NaCl}$
• B. ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}$
• C. ${\left({\mathrm{Na}}^{+}{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\right)}_{\mathrm{n}}$
• D. ${\mathrm{Na}}_{\mathrm{n}}{\mathrm{Cl}}_{\mathrm{n}}$

Answer 1

The correct option is C

${\left({\mathrm{Na}}^{+}{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\right)}_{\mathrm{n}}$

The explanation for the correct option:

Option (C)

• Sodium Chloride is an ionic compound with a chemical formula $\mathrm{NaCl}$.
• Since sodium chloride is not a molecule it has an empirical formula, not a molecular formula.
• Like all other salts, sodium chloride consists of a typical arrangement of anions and cations next to each other.
• There is no limit on how large this salt can be and there is no definite ‘end’ of the lattice. There is a chloride ion for each sodium ion. The empirical formula of sodium chloride is ${\left({\mathrm{Na}}^{+}{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\right)}_{\mathrm{n}}$

Final answer: A correct answer is an option (C)