Question 33

Sodium chloride is composed of two different elements.

Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, consists of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl), making it a compound formed from two distinct elements.

A) It is a gas at room temperature.

This statement is incorrect because sodium chloride is a solid at room temperature. It does not exist as a gas under normal atmospheric conditions, which further confirms its classification as an ionic compound.

B) It is composed of two different elements.

This option is correct since sodium chloride is made up of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). These two elements combine in a 1:1 ratio to form the ionic compound NaCl.

C) It is composed of two different compounds.

This statement is inaccurate because sodium chloride is a single compound, not a mixture of two different compounds. It is formed through the ionic bond between sodium and chlorine.

D) It is chemically unstable.

This option is also incorrect. Sodium chloride is chemically stable under normal conditions and does not readily decompose, which is characteristic of its ionic structure.

Conclusion

The correct option highlights that sodium chloride comprises two distinct elements, which is fundamental to its identity as a compound. In contrast, the other options fail to accurately describe the nature of sodium chloride, emphasizing its solid state, composition as a single compound, and chemical stability.