OmniLab Guided chemistry

For chemistry students · 4 minute read

What happens when sodium reacts with chlorine?

Sodium and chlorine form sodium chloride, an ionic solid. The balanced equation is 2Na(s) + Cl₂(g) → 2NaCl(s).

Try Sodium + Chlorine

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A completed Sodium and Chlorine prediction in the OmniLab virtual lab Real OmniLab workspace
The prepared lab selects Sodium and Chlorine. You choose whether to request this kind of educational prediction.

Balanced reaction

2Na(s) + Cl₂(g) → 2NaCl(s)

Two sodium atoms are needed for one chlorine molecule because elemental chlorine is written as Cl₂.

Worked explanation

Read the reaction in three moves

Use this as a study aid, then compare it with your course materials.

  1. 01

    Start with the reactants

    The reactant side contains sodium metal, Na, and diatomic chlorine gas, Cl₂.

  2. 02

    Track the electron transfer

    Each sodium atom loses one electron and each chlorine atom gains one, producing Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions.

  3. 03

    Name the product

    Oppositely charged ions attract in a crystal lattice, so the product is solid sodium chloride, NaCl.

In the virtual lab

What to notice in OmniLab

  • The prepared setup selects Sodium and Chlorine.
  • The prediction uses those selected chemicals only.
  • The beaker is a visual aid and does not change the prediction.