This research is going to represent the chemistry behind considering nacl as an Ionic compound. The reason for not considering table salt or Sodium Chloride (nacl) as covalent would be described in this article.
Donation of electrons to other participant atom is the core concept of ionic bonding. Covalent bonding tales place when two different elements share electrons with each other.
Is nacl ionic or Covalent?
In Inorganic chemistry, compounds containing ionic bond are called ionic compound. nacl is considered as an ionic compound as here sodium metal makes bond with non-metal chlorine, which is basically a halogen element by complete sharing of electron.
How is nacl Ionic?
Ionic bond basically takes place among metal and non-metal. The combination of ionic compound should be metal and non-metal. Therefore, it is absolutely clear that sodium metal makes bond with non-metal chlorine and fulfils the basic principle of ionic bonding.
Here the metal that is Sodium shares its one electron with the chlorine atom. The reason behind this sharing and adopting one election need to be understood for getting depth idea on the reason behind bonding.
The metal and non-metal all the elements have a tendency to fulfil their octet in electronic configuration just similar of their nearby ideal gas to get stability like that gas.
Chlorine wants to be stable as its nearer gas element and therefore; it seeks for one electron in its last cell. Sodium desires for the same kind of stability and so it is needed for Sodium to release one electron from its last cell.
When sodium releases one electron from its last cell that free electron is adopted by Chorine and this transfer of electron creates Ionic bond between sodium and Chlorine. They generate Sodium chloride in this way. This is the process behind becoming Ionic for nacl.
The electrostatic force inside the free ions of nacl is the reason for making it strong and more ionic by nature. Another strong reason for considering nacl as ionic is that it can conduct electricity in molten state.
Complete transfer of electrons from Sodium to Chlorine makes it totally ionic. It cannot be considered as covalent compound anyway. The electrostatic force inside the free ions of nacl is the reason for making it strong and more ionic by nature. nacl can conduct electricity in molten state.
Before explaining the reason for not considering nacl as covalent compound let’s take a view on the difference between Ionic and Covalent compounds:
| Ionic compound | Covalent Compound |
| 1. Ionic compounds are formed by complete donation of electrons. When the electrons are completely donated by one atom to another it make Ionic bonds and generates compound. Here only one atom donates and other one accepts. | 1. Covalent compounds are made by the sharing of electrons. It is important to notice that the electron sharing happens in two different atoms. In covalent compounds both atoms donate electron donate and adopt electrons. |
| 2. Ionic compounds are found to be exited in solid stare only. Gaseous and liquids compounds are not made off ionic bonds. The atoms stay quite impact in the Ionic compounds. The structure of Ionic compounds is rigid by strong electrostatic force. | 2. Covalent compounds exist in solid, gas and liquid all the three states.As the bonds are weak for the temporary sharing of electrons, these could be brittle because of the weaker intermolecular forces. |
| 3. Ionic compounds are found to be soluble in water but covalent compounds generally are not noticed to be soluble in water. The attraction force between the charged ions is strong in Ionic compounds and those ions get solvated in polar compound like water easily. | 3. Covalent compounds are generated by the bonding between molecules not ions therefore, the molecules do not get ionised in water and shows water insolubility property. |
| 4. Ionic compounds are found to conduct electricity in aqueous solutions. They are considered to be good conductor of electricity as the free ions exist in the Ionic compounds conduct the electricity easily and they can move one place to other frequently. | 4. In covalent compounds the free ions are not found therefore; they work as insulator. They cannot conduit electricity as they have no ions to carry out electric charge. No free ions are found in covalent compound which can move one place other. |
| 5. Ionic bonds are too strong to break by applying heat. Therefore, the melting and boiling of ionic compounds are high that means a huge amount of heat ort temperature is needed to break the ionic bonds or for weakening the electrostatics force work inside these compounds. | 5. Covalent compounds are made up off weaker molecular bonds. Therefore, they are breakable by application of little amount of heat anyway. Simply the melting and boiling point of these compounds are lower than ionic compounds. |
Read more about ionic and covalent compounds
Why nacl is not covalent?
The above explanation on the difference between the ionic and covalent compounds is the giving the fundamental knowledge for not considering nacl as covalent. nacl does not meet any criterion of covalent structure. Therefore, it is quite reliable to call it ionic.
The argument takes place due to the internal analysis on the properties followed by nacl in general way. In aqueous solution or molten state it conducts electricity. This is a great property for not being a covalent compound.
On the other hand, nacl is found in solid state in nature. The crystalline structure of nacl is a great proof for being completely ionic. Generally, it cannot be obtained in gaseous or liquid state. So it is not considered as covalent compound.
nacl is found to possess high melting point that is 1080K and high boiling point is 1600K. The electrostatic force between the na+ and cl– ions are strong enough to break by applying little amount of heat.
Sodium chloride is absolutely soluble in water. For being covalent compound the compound should be insoluble in water. Therefore, nacl is not covalent at all. Normally table salt is used in regular basis in every home by solving it in water. Therefore, this basic ionic property of nacl salt is well-known to everybody.
From the above explanations, it is clear that nacl is does not possess any of the property of covalent compound and completely made up off containing ionic properties. Therefore, nacl is considered as the most relevant and simplest example of ionic compound in chemistry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question 1: What is most common ionic property noticed in nacl?
Answer: nacl is soluble in polar compounds such as water. It is completely soluble in water which can be noticed in regular life by solving table salt (nacl) in water. nacl is found in solid crystalline state in nature.
Question 2: Why melting and boiling point of nacl is very high? Obtain its melting and boiling point.
Answer: The mopst relevant example of ionic compound nacl has rigid internal structure. The strong internal electrostatic force works between the ions of nacl creates strong ionic bonds. Therefore, for melting or boiling nacl a huge amout of heat is needed. That is why nackl has high melting and boiling pint.
Melting pint of nacl is 1080K and boiling point is 1600K.
Question 3: Does nacl possess any covalent characteristic?
Answer: nacl is completely ionic. it has no covalent characteristic as exception.
Question 4: Write one difference between ionic and covalent compounds.
Answer: Ionic compounds are good conductor of electricity for having free ions in its internal rigid stricture. Covalent compounds act as insulator, they cannot carry current.
Question 5: Why does sodium seek for releasing one electron and chlorine adopt that free electron released by sodium?
Answer: Sodium want to fulfil its octet state to get intense stability lime its nearer noble gas. For getting the same electronic configuration like that gas Na releases one electron from its last cell. Based on the same reason chlorine adopts that free electron and obtains the stability like its nearer noble gas.
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Hi…..I am Sarnali Mukherjee, a graduate from the University of Calcutta. I love to teach and share knowledge on chemistry. I have gradually gained interest in article writing since one year ago. I would love to acquire more knowledge on my subject in the future.
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