Which Lewis dot structure correctly represents the ionic compound sodium chloride (NaCl)?

• A. Na with no dots and Cl with eight dots, enclosed in brackets with a negative charge: [Cl]^-
• B. Na with eight dots and Cl with no dots, no brackets or charges
• C. Na with no dots and Cl with eight dots, no brackets or charges
• D. Na with one dot and Cl with seven dots, no brackets or charges

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that sodium chloride (NaCl) is an ionic compound formed by the transfer of an electron from sodium (Na) to chlorine (Cl).
2. Recognize that sodium (Na) starts with one valence electron and chlorine (Cl) starts with seven valence electrons in their Lewis dot structures.
3. Since Na loses one electron to become Na⁺, it will have no dots around it in the Lewis structure, representing the loss of its valence electron.
4. Chlorine gains one electron to complete its octet, so it will have eight dots around it, representing a full valence shell.
5. The chloride ion (Cl⁻) should be enclosed in brackets with a negative charge to indicate it is an ion, while the sodium ion (Na⁺) is typically shown without dots and with a positive charge.