2 Sodium metal reacts with chlorine gas according to the following balanced equation:
2Na (s) + Cl2
(g) → 2NaCl (s)

Which statement correctly explains why the formula of the product is NaCl?

A. Sodium metal and chlorine gas form a single covalent bond when they react.

B. The chlorine atom loses one valence electron and the sodium metal gains one

valence electron therefore allowing for the ratio of atoms to be 1:1.

C. The sodium metal loses one valence electron to become a 1+ cation and the

chlorine atom gains one valence electron to become a 1- anion and they

combine in a 1:1 ratio.

D. The sodium metal becomes a 2+ ion and the chlorine atom becomes a 2-

chloride ion allowing them to form an ionic bond in a 1:1 ratio.

E. In all synthesis reactions, every atom will combine in a 1:1 ra