However, in reaction with sodium, sodium chloride forms as the sodium atom gives up an electron to chlorine, which accepts the electron to form the chloride anion. A sodium ion is very different from ...However, in reaction with sodium, sodium chloride forms as the sodium atom gives up an electron to chlorine, which accepts the electron to form the chloride anion. A sodium ion is very different from a neon atom, because the nuclei of the two contain different numbers of protons. One is an essential ion that is a part of table salt, while the other is an unreactive gas that is a very small part of the atmosphere.
