The analysis of the formation of an ionic compound from its elements is commonly discussed in terms of a Born-Haber cycle, which breaks the overall process into a series of steps of known energy. The Born-Haber cycle for the formation of sodium chloride is shown in Figure 5. At the start of the cycle, the elements are considered to be in the form in which they exist at normal pressure and temperature. First, sodium metal is vaporized to a gas of sodium atoms. This step requires an input of energy known as the atomization energy of sodium metal. Next, the ...(100 of 27318 words)