In solid sodium chloride NaCl , the type of bonding present is ionic bonding. Ionic bonding is a type of chemical bond that involves the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. These ions are formed when atoms either lose or gain electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, typically a full outer shell.In the case of NaCl, sodium Na has one electron in its outermost shell, while chlorine Cl has seven electrons in its outermost shell. Sodium loses its one valence electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, becoming a positively charged ion Na+ . Chlorine gains this electron to complete its outer shell, becoming a negatively charged ion Cl- . The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond in NaCl.The characteristics of ionic bonding include:1. Formation of crystal lattice: Ionic compounds, like NaCl, form a crystal lattice structure due to the regular arrangement of cations and anions. This structure maximizes the attractive forces between oppositely charged ions and minimizes the repulsive forces between like-charged ions.2. High melting and boiling points: Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points due to the strong electrostatic forces between the ions. A significant amount of energy is required to overcome these forces and change the compound from a solid to a liquid or gas.3. Electrical conductivity: In the solid state, ionic compounds do not conduct electricity because the ions are held in fixed positions within the crystal lattice. However, when dissolved in water or melted, the ions become free to move, allowing the compound to conduct electricity.4. Solubility in polar solvents: Ionic compounds are generally soluble in polar solvents, like water, due to the ability of the polar solvent molecules to surround and separate the ions, overcoming the electrostatic forces holding the ions together in the crystal lattice.5. Brittleness: Ionic compounds are brittle because when stress is applied to the crystal lattice, it can cause the alignment of like-charged ions, leading to repulsion and the subsequent breaking of the lattice structure.In summary, sodium chloride NaCl exhibits ionic bonding due to the transfer of an electron from sodium to chlorine, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions that are held together by strong electrostatic forces. This type of bonding gives NaCl its characteristic properties, such as a high melting point, electrical conductivity when dissolved or melted, and solubility in polar solvents.