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a) Sodium chloride is an ionic solid - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 4 - 2017 - Paper 1

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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++eNa ext{Na}^+ + e^- \rightarrow \text{Na}

This gain of electrons reduces the sodium ions to neutral sodium atoms.

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