Chemistry Help

[GrimReaper23]

OK here is a tough question here I go, Why is it that NA (sodium) 1 valence electron give it's electron to chlorine to get a full outer shell and then why doesn't hydrogen give it to chlorine but hydrogen has 1 valence electron as well.

 

[macdude425]

Remember that Hydrogen is a "special" atom, in that it has a lot of unique properties. One of them is that it only takes two valence electrons to fill its outer shell. That will probably answer your question.

 

[GrimReaper23]

well is it that the element cannot have 0 electrons?

 

[PizzatheHut06]

macdude425 is right, Hydrogen does have many special properties and does not follow they typical periodic table rules as strictly as other elements. Like you mentioned, hydrogen does not give away it's electron in an ionic bond because it would be left with zero electrons. Hydrogen typically forms covalent bonds so that it can have a full outer shell of 2 electrons. Does that make sense?

 

[GrimReaper23]

yea I get it but what would an answer for my teacher be?

 

[horndude]

cause its the smallest atom, which is why its where it is on the periodic table.....

 

[PizzatheHut06]

Click here

That website has everything you need to know about hydrogen.