Oxygen molecules (O_2) are formed when two oxygen atoms share electrons to create a covalent bond. How is the bonding in sodium chloride (NaCl) different from that in oxygen?

• A. Sodium chloride forms an ionic bond by transferring electrons from sodium to chlorine.
• B. Sodium chloride forms a metallic bond between sodium and chlorine atoms.
• C. Sodium chloride does not involve any electron movement between atoms.
• D. Sodium chloride forms a covalent bond by sharing electrons between sodium and chlorine.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the type of bonding in oxygen (O_2): Oxygen molecules form when two oxygen atoms share electrons, creating a covalent bond. This means electrons are shared between atoms to achieve stable electron configurations.
2. Recall the nature of sodium chloride (NaCl): Sodium chloride is composed of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) atoms, which have very different electronegativities. Sodium tends to lose an electron, and chlorine tends to gain an electron.
3. Identify the electron movement in NaCl: In sodium chloride, sodium transfers one electron to chlorine, resulting in the formation of Na^+ and Cl^- ions. This transfer creates an electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions.
4. Compare the bonding types: Unlike the covalent bond in O_2 where electrons are shared, the bond in NaCl is ionic because it involves the transfer of electrons and the attraction between ions.
5. Conclude the difference: Therefore, the bonding in sodium chloride is ionic, characterized by electron transfer and ionic attraction, whereas oxygen bonding is covalent, characterized by electron sharing.