Chloride ion
Charge: 1- · Type: Anion · Molar mass: 35.45 g/mol
Made of: chlorine
How it forms
Chlorine is one electron short of a full outer shell, so it readily accepts an electron from metals to become Cl-. Dissolving table salt in water releases sodium and chloride ions, which is why salt water conducts electricity.
Naming note
Cl- is the chloride ion. The name chlorine is reserved for the element; the ion always takes the -ide ending.
Examples in compounds
Sodium chloride
Hydrochloric acid
Calcium chloride