The bond formed between sodium and chloride is classified as what type of bond?

The bond formed between sodium and chloride is classified as an ionic bond due to the nature of the interactions between the two elements. Sodium, an alkali metal, has a single electron in its outermost shell, which it readily loses to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of the noble gases. When sodium donates this electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (Na⁺).

Chloride, on the other hand, is a halogen that has seven electrons in its outer shell. It needs one more electron to achieve a full outer shell, which is also a stable configuration. When sodium loses an electron, chloride can gain this electron, resulting in the formation of a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻).

The resulting electrostatic attraction between the positively charged sodium ion and the negatively charged chloride ion leads to the formation of an ionic bond. This type of bond is characterized by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, contrasting with covalent bonds where electrons are shared between atoms. Ionic bonds typically occur between metals and nonmetals, further underscoring the nature of the bond between sodium and chloride.