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This question is about sodium and chlorine - AQA - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 2
This question is about sodium and chlorine. Figure 2 shows the positions of sodium and chlorine in the periodic table. State one difference and one similarity in t... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:This question is about sodium and chlorine - AQA - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
State one difference and one similarity in the electronic structure of sodium and chlorine.
Answer
Difference: Sodium has one electron in its outer shell, while chlorine has seven electrons in its outer shell.
Similarity: Both sodium and chlorine have the same number of electrons in their inner shell.
Step 2
Describe what happens when a sodium atom reacts with a chlorine atom.
Answer
When a sodium atom reacts with a chlorine atom, the sodium atom loses one electron from its outer shell. This electron is transferred to the chlorine atom, which gains it. The loss of the electron from sodium results in a positively charged sodium ion (Na⁺), while the gain of the electron by chlorine results in a negatively charged chloride ion (Cl⁻). The resultant compounds, sodium chloride (NaCl), exhibit ionic bonding due to the electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions.
Step 3
Complete the reaction profile for the reaction between sodium and chlorine.
Answer
The reaction profile should include the following:
- Starting point labeled as 'Reactants' at a higher level of relative energy.
- A downward curve indicating the exothermic nature of the reaction, leading to a lower energy state labeled as 'Products'.
- Ensure the products line is below the reactants line.