Describe how sodium and chlorine atoms are changed into ions when they react with each other to form sodium chloride, NaCl. What is the name given to this type of bonding?

Sodium's atomic number is 11, so its electronic configuration is 2,8,1. It has one extra electron in its valence shell. Chlorine's atomic number is 17, so its electronic configuration of 2,8,7. Chlorine needs one electron to complete its octet.

Therefore, Sodium donates one electron to chlorine atom to form sodium ion, Na⁺ and chlorine accepts this electron to form chloride ion Cl^–.

This type of bonding where one atom donates electrons to another is called ionic bonding.