What is the chemical formula for table salt?

Table salt, commonly known as sodium chloride, has the chemical formula NaCl. This indicates that it is composed of one sodium (Na) atom and one chlorine (Cl) atom. Sodium is an alkali metal found in group 1 of the periodic table, while chlorine is a halogen in group 17. When they combine, sodium donates one electron to chlorine, resulting in the formation of an ionic bond that creates the compound sodium chloride. This compound is essential for human health and is widely used both in cooking and as a preservative.

Other options represent different compounds: KCl is potassium chloride, CaCl2 is calcium chloride, and MgCl2 is magnesium chloride. Each of these compounds contains different elements and has its own unique properties and uses, but only NaCl is recognized as table salt.