Table salt, also known as sodium chloride (NaCl), is a common compound with several distinct properties. It is a crystalline solid at room temperature, typically white or colorless, and is highly soluble in water. Table salt is known for its distinctive taste and is widely used as a seasoning and preservative in food.
Chemically, table salt is composed of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) ions in a 1:1 ratio. Sodium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is highly reactive, especially with water. Chlorine is a greenish-yellow gas that is highly toxic and reactive. When these two elements combine, they form the stable ionic compound known as sodium chloride.
On the periodic table, sodium is located in Group 1 (alkali metals) and Period 3, while chlorine is found in Group 17 (halogens) and Period 3. The combination of these two elements results in the formation of table salt, which is essential for various biological processes and industrial applications.
In summary, table salt is a vital compound with unique properties, formed by the combination of sodium and chlorine, which are located in Groups 1 and 17 of the periodic table, respectively.