sodium chloride

 Sodium is a highly reactive metal and chlorine is a toxic gas. But when they combine, they form sodium chloride (table salt), an element that is essential for life. The reason behind this is that when a chemical reaction takes place, elements lose their unique properties and are transformed into compounds with new properties.

In a chemical reaction, new chemical bonds are formed between atoms. In the case of sodium chloride, this is an ionic bond. The sodium atom (Na) is prone to losing an electron in its outermost shell. When this happens, it becomes a positively charged ion or cation (Na+). On the other hand, the chlorine atom (Cl) is an element that is very eager to accept an electron. When it accepts an electron, it becomes a negatively charged ion or anion (Cl −).  When sodium combines with chlorine, the sodium atom transfers one of its electrons to the chlorine atom. By transferring electrons, both atoms complete their outer shells and reach a more stable state. The positive (Na 

+) and negative (Cl −) ions that result from this transfer are strongly attracted to each other, forming a crystal lattice. In this new structure, the unique properties of sodium and chlorine are lost, and a compound called sodium chloride with completely different properties is formed.

Sodium chloride is an essential compound for our body. It plays an important role in maintaining the balance of fluids in the body, the proper functioning of the nervous system, and muscle movement. Therefore, sodium chloride has become an important ingredient in our food. This example illustrates how, through a chemical reaction, two dangerous elements can be transformed into a compound that is indispensable to human life.