Question #37a44

1 Answer
Dec 7, 2016

See below

Explanation:

I think the idea here may be to realize that since NaCl or sodium chloride is an ionic compound, the formula given is not the molecular formula, but instead is the formula unit .

The formula unit is the simplest repeating unit within the crystal lattice of the ionic compound.

You could realize that Na^+ has one valence electron and that Cl^- has eight valence electron and draw a lewis dot structure:

Na-Cl

realizing that the bond formed between them is ionic, and that the electron will be much closer to the species Cl.

In fact, because of this, the species NaCl readily dissolves in water, since the ion

Na^+ are attracted to delta^-
and
Cl^- are attracted to delta^+

about the water molecule.