Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, is an ionic compound made up of sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). It's a white crystalline solid at room temperature and dissolves readily in water.
Related terms
Ionic Bond: An ionic bond is formed when one atom transfers an electron to another atom. This creates two ions with opposite charges that attract each other, forming the bond.
Electrolyte: Electrolytes are substances that produce an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in water. Sodium chloride is a common electrolyte.
Solvent: A solvent is a substance that can dissolve other substances. Water is often referred to as the 'universal solvent' because it can dissolve many different substances, including sodium chloride.