| Na is sodium. Na has 11 (+) protons and 11 (-) electrons. |
Cl is chlorine. Cl has 17 (+) protons and 17 (-) electrons. |
Both Na and Cl would like to have the same number of electrons as a noble gas.
The noble gases are the far right column on the periodic table.
| If Na loses one (-) electron, it would have (11 - 1) or 10 electrons, just like neon, a noble gas. | If Cl takes one (-) electron, it would have (17 + 1) or 18 electrons, just like argon, another noble gas. |
Nothing happens to the protons.
| So, Na has 11(+) protons and 10(-) electrons for a total charge of +1. | Cl has 17(+) protons and 18(-) electrons for a total charge of -1. |
Na+ and Cl- sit next to each other and don't want to move.
Opposite charges attract and form an ionic bond.
So there you have it! Salt!