Which of the following represents the correct Lewis dot structure for sodium chloride (NaCl)?

• A. Na^+ [Cl]^− with Cl surrounded by 7 dots
• B. Na [Cl]^− with Na surrounded by 8 dots
• C. Na^+ [Cl]^− with Cl surrounded by 8 dots
• D. Na [Cl] with each atom surrounded by 1 dot

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that sodium chloride (NaCl) is an ionic compound formed by the transfer of an electron from sodium (Na) to chlorine (Cl). Sodium loses one electron to become Na⁺, and chlorine gains one electron to become Cl⁻.
2. Step 2: Recall that the Lewis dot structure represents valence electrons as dots around the element symbols. For Na⁺, since it has lost its one valence electron, it will have no dots around it and a positive charge indicated.
3. Step 3: For Cl⁻, since it has gained one electron, it will have eight valence electrons (the original seven plus one gained), represented as eight dots around the Cl symbol, and a negative charge indicated.
4. Step 4: Verify that the structure shows Na⁺ without dots and Cl⁻ surrounded by eight dots, reflecting the full octet for chlorine and the empty valence shell for sodium after electron transfer.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct Lewis dot structure for NaCl is Na⁺ [Cl]⁻ with Cl surrounded by 8 dots, representing the ionic bond formed by electron transfer.