Is NaCl a nonpolar molecule

Answer 1

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds are made up of generally two types of ions i.e. anions (or negatively charged ions) and cations (or positively charged ions).

NaCl is made up of two ions i.e. Na+ (cation) and Cl- (anion). Na (atom) has one electron in its outermost shell. To complete its orbit (octet : by 8 electrons), it needs to lose one electron. On the other hand, Chlorine (atom) have seven electrons in its outermost shell. To complete its orbit (octet : by 8 electrons), it needs to gain one electron. Thus, Na donates one electron to Cl.

As Na loses one electron, it becomes cation; while Cl gains one electron, it becomes anion. The one electron, which is lost by Na+ and gained by Cl-, results in the Polarity of NaCl. Chloride has the tendency to gain electron, therefore, it attracts the electron with high force. While Sodium don't have, thus it doesn't attracts. Thus, Chlorine becomes more electronegative despite Sodium.

From the above mentioned, we can assume that NaCl is a polar compound.