Write the Lewis structure of the NaBr and name the compound.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The Lewis structure of NaBr (sodium bromide) shows sodium (Na) donating one electron to bromine (Br), forming an ionic bond.
Lewis structure:
Na⁺ :Br⁻:
Name of the compound: Sodium bromide
Explanation:
Sodium bromide (NaBr) is an ionic compound composed of a metal (sodium) and a nonmetal (bromine). Sodium is an alkali metal found in Group 1 of the periodic table. It has one valence electron in its outermost shell. Bromine is a halogen located in Group 17, and it has seven valence electrons.
To achieve a stable electronic configuration, sodium loses its one valence electron to become a positively charged ion (Na⁺). Bromine gains that one electron to complete its octet, becoming a negatively charged ion (Br⁻). This transfer of electrons creates an electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions, resulting in the formation of an ionic bond.
The Lewis structure for sodium bromide reflects this transfer. Sodium is represented as Na⁺ without any dots, since it has lost its outer electron. Bromine is represented as Br⁻ surrounded by eight electrons (four pairs), which includes the extra electron received from sodium.
This structure is different from covalent compounds, where atoms share electrons. In ionic compounds like NaBr, the atoms achieve stability through full electron transfer.
Sodium bromide is commonly used in various applications including medical preparations, chemical synthesis, and as a disinfectant. It is a white crystalline solid at room temperature and dissolves readily in water, forming a conductive ionic solution.
Understanding the Lewis structure of NaBr helps visualize how ionic compounds form and why they exhibit strong lattice structures and high melting points due to the force between the oppositely charged ions.