Which type of chemical bond is present in sodium chloride (NaCl)?

• A. Metallic bond
• B. Covalent bond
• C. Hydrogen bond
• D. Ionic bond

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the elements involved in the compound: sodium (Na) is a metal and chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal.
2. Recall that when a metal reacts with a nonmetal, the typical bond formed is an ionic bond due to the transfer of electrons.
3. Understand that sodium tends to lose one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, becoming a positively charged ion (Na⁺).
4. Chlorine tends to gain one electron to complete its valence shell, becoming a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻).
5. The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions (Na⁺ and Cl⁻) forms the ionic bond present in sodium chloride.