a) Sodium chloride is an ionic solid - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 4 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 4
a) Sodium chloride is an ionic solid.
It contains sodium ions, Na^+, and chloride ions, Cl^-.
In solid sodium chloride, the ions are arranged as shown in the diagra... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a) Sodium chloride is an ionic solid - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 4 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
(i) Solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity.
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Answer
Solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity because its ions are in fixed positions within a rigid lattice structure. This arrangement restricts the movement of the Na^+ and Cl^- ions, preventing the material from conducting electric current.
Step 2
(ii) Explain how the sodium ions, Na^+, become sodium atoms, Na.
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Answer
During electrolysis, sodium ions (Na^+) gain electrons at the cathode. The reaction is:
extNa++e−→Na
This gain of electrons reduces the sodium ions to neutral sodium atoms.
