Sodium chloride

Sodium chloride is a chemical compound, which means it is made of two different kinds of atoms that have been joined together. In the case of sodium chloride, it is made of sodium and chlorine. Both are elements, which means they are the smallest pieces of matter that still have the properties of that element. So when the sodium and chlorine atoms join together they make a new compound, sodium chloride. You might have heard sodium chloride called salt, which is why it tastes salty when it dissolves in water.