Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

2. Atoms & Elements

Ions

General Chemistry

2. Atoms & Elements

Ions

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with General Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Why does sodium readily lose an electron while chlorine readily gains one during the formation of sodium chloride?

Both sodium and chlorine have low electron affinities.

Sodium has a high electron affinity and chlorine has a low ionization energy.

Both sodium and chlorine have high ionization energies.

Sodium has a low ionization energy and chlorine has a high electron affinity.

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concepts of ionization energy and electron affinity: Ionization energy is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom, while electron affinity is the energy change when an atom gains an electron.

Recognize that sodium (Na) has a low ionization energy, meaning it requires relatively little energy to lose its outermost electron and form a positive ion (Na⁺).

Recognize that chlorine (Cl) has a high electron affinity, meaning it releases energy when it gains an electron to form a negative ion (Cl⁻).

Explain that because sodium easily loses an electron (due to low ionization energy) and chlorine readily gains an electron (due to high electron affinity), they tend to form ions that attract each other, resulting in the ionic compound sodium chloride (NaCl).

Conclude that the correct explanation is that sodium has a low ionization energy and chlorine has a high electron affinity, which drives the electron transfer during the formation of sodium chloride.