The alkali metals, found in group 1 of the periodic table, are very reactive metals that do not occur freely in nature. These metals have only one electron in their outer shell. Therefore, they readily lose that one electron to form ionic bonds with other elements. Sodium (na) is an alkali metal that bonds with chlorine (cl), a halogen, to form table salt (nacl). Based on what the periodic table can tell you about these two elements, explain how and why they bond to form nacl.