What is the formula for sodium fluoride What is the formula for sodium fluoride
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The chemical formula for sodium fluoride is NaF.
Explanation:
Sodium fluoride is an ionic compound that is made up of two elements: sodium (Na) and fluorine (F). Here’s how the formula NaF is derived:
- Sodium (Na): Sodium is an alkali metal found in Group 1 of the periodic table. Sodium atoms have one electron in their outermost shell. Because sodium is highly reactive, it readily loses this electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to the nearest noble gas, neon. As a result, sodium forms a positively charged ion (cation) with a charge of +1, represented as Na⁺.
- Fluorine (F): Fluorine is a halogen found in Group 17 of the periodic table. It has seven electrons in its outer shell and needs one more electron to achieve a stable octet (the electron configuration of neon). Fluorine readily gains an electron to complete its outer shell, resulting in a negatively charged ion (anion) with a charge of -1, represented as F⁻.
- Formation of Sodium Fluoride: To form a neutral compound, the charges of the sodium and fluoride ions must balance out. Since sodium has a +1 charge (Na⁺) and fluorine has a -1 charge (F⁻), they combine in a 1:1 ratio to form sodium fluoride. Thus, the formula for sodium fluoride is NaF.
Properties of Sodium Fluoride:
Sodium fluoride is commonly used in water fluoridation and dental products like toothpaste to help prevent cavities. It is a white, odorless, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. When dissolved in water, it dissociates into sodium ions (Na⁺) and fluoride ions (F⁻), which can interact with the enamel of teeth to make it more resistant to acid attacks.