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Question: "Explain how ionic bonding occurs in sodium chloride (NaCl)." (4 marks)
Sodium has one electron in its outer shell, which it transfers completely to a chlorine atom. [1] This means sodium now has more protons than electrons, so it becomes a positively charged sodium ion, Na⁺, with the stable electron configuration 2,8. [1] Chlorine gains this electron, giving it more electrons than protons, so it becomes a negatively charged chloride ion, Cl⁻, with the stable electron configuration 2,8,8. [1] Because the Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions carry opposite charges, there is a strong electrostatic force of attraction between them — this is the ionic bond. [1]
Examiner note: The four mark points are: (1) electron transfer from sodium to chlorine, (2) sodium becomes Na⁺, (3) chlorine becomes Cl⁻, (4) electrostatic attraction between opposite ions forms the ionic bond. Students who only say "electrons are shared" score zero — this is the most common fundamental error. Mentioning "stable electron configuration" or "full outer shell" is rewarded but not required for every mark point.
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