Chapter 7, Problem 78A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The sodium chloride consisting of individual particles made up of one sodium cation and one chlorine anion is accurate and is to be described and generalized.

Concept Introduction : Cations and anions combine to form an ionic compound.

The cation of metal and anion of non-metal are the main components of ionic compounds.

Answer to Problem 78A

It is not accurate to describe NaCl as consisting of individual particles.

Explanation of Solution

NaCl is an ionic compound.

In NaCl crystal structure, ions of ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ are present.

  ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ has a coordination number of 6. Each ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ ion is surrounded by six ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ ions.

Each ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ ion has a coordination number of 6 and is surrounded by 6 ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ ions.

NaCl is a compound, and it is not an individual particle.