What is the chemical formula for Sodium Fluoride
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The chemical formula for sodium fluoride is NaF.
Explanation:
Sodium fluoride is an ionic compound formed by the combination of sodium (Na) and fluorine (F). It consists of one sodium ion (Na⁺) and one fluoride ion (F⁻). The formation of this compound follows the basic principles of ionic bonding, where atoms transfer electrons to achieve stable electron configurations.
- Sodium (Na) is an alkali metal in group 1 of the periodic table. It has one electron in its outermost shell, and it tends to lose this electron to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of the noble gas neon. When sodium loses an electron, it becomes a positively charged ion (Na⁺) with a stable electron configuration of neon.
- Fluorine (F) is a halogen in group 17 of the periodic table. It has seven electrons in its outermost shell and requires one more electron to complete its octet and achieve a stable configuration similar to neon. Fluorine readily gains one electron, becoming a negatively charged ion (F⁻).
The electrostatic attraction between the positively charged sodium ion (Na⁺) and the negatively charged fluoride ion (F⁻) forms an ionic bond. This attraction results in the formation of sodium fluoride (NaF).
In the compound NaF, the sodium and fluoride ions combine in a 1:1 ratio. This is because sodium donates one electron and becomes Na⁺, while fluorine gains that electron to become F⁻. The overall charge of the compound is neutral because the positive charge from the Na⁺ ion balances the negative charge from the F⁻ ion.
Sodium fluoride is commonly used in various applications, including in toothpaste for dental health, where it helps to prevent cavities by strengthening tooth enamel. It also finds use in industrial applications such as water fluoridation and in the production of certain chemicals.
