the diagram below shows the atoms involved in forming table salt. which statement best describes what…

the diagram below shows the atoms involved in forming table salt. which statement best describes what happens next? sodium becomes an anion by losing an electron to chlorine. chlorine becomes a cation by losing an electron to sodium. sodium becomes a cation by gaining an electron from chlorine. chlorine becomes an anion by gaining an electron from sodium.
Answer
Answer:
Chlorine becomes an anion by gaining an electron from sodium.
Explanation:
Step1: Recall ion - formation rules
Sodium has 1 valence electron and chlorine has 7 valence electrons.
Step2: Analyze electron - transfer
Sodium donates its single valence electron to chlorine.
Step3: Determine ion types
Sodium loses an electron and becomes a cation ($Na^+$). Chlorine gains an electron and becomes an anion ($Cl^-$).