Atomic Structure and Chemical Reactions

Sodium Chloride and Atomic Structure

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Formation

  • Chemical Symbols:

    • Sodium: Na
    • Chlorine: Cl

  • Process of Formation:

    • When sodium chloride is formed, the following occurs:
    1. The sodium atom loses an electron, resulting in a positively charged ion (cation).
    2. The chlorine atom gains an electron, resulting in a negatively charged ion (anion).

  • Electron Behavior:

    • Incorrect Statements:
      • The sodium atom gains an electron, becoming negatively charged.
      • The chlorine atom loses an electron, becoming positively charged.
      • The sodium atom gains an electron, becoming positively charged.
      • The chlorine atom loses an electron, becoming negatively charged.
    • Correct Statement:
      • The sodium atom loses an electron, and the chlorine atom gains an electron.

  • Covalent Bond Formation:

    • An incorrect way to describe the bond is stating that sodium and chlorine share a pair of electrons, becoming ions and forming a covalent bond.
    • Actual Interaction: In ionic compounds like NaCl, ionic bonds are formed due to the transfer of electrons rather than sharing.

Evidence and Conclusions of Atomic Structure

  • Rutherford's Experiment (1911):

    • Conducted by British scientist Ernest Rutherford.
    • Experiment involved bombarding a very thin sheet of gold foil with helium nuclei, also known as alpha particles:
    • Composition of Alpha Particles: Consist of two protons and two neutrons.

  • Key Observations:

    • Most of the helium nuclei passed right through the gold foil without any deflections.
    • A few alpha particles were deflected back toward the source, indicating interactions.

  • Conclusions Drawn:

    • From these observations, Rutherford concluded:
    1. Atoms have a dense nucleus composed of protons and neutrons.
    2. Atoms consist mostly of empty space with electrons orbiting around the nucleus.

  • Evidence of Empty Space in Atoms:

    • The statement that provides evidence that atoms consist mostly of empty space is:
    • B. Most of the alpha particles passed right through the gold foil.
    • Other options include observations about alpha particle composition and how they interacted with the foil, but option B specifically indicates the space within the atom.