Table salt is primarily composed of the chemical compound sodium chloride (NaCl). Sodium chloride is formed when sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) chemically bond together in a 1:1 ratio. In its crystalline form, table salt appears as white, cubic crystals. It is widely used in cooking as a seasoning and preservative, and it plays a crucial role in human health by helping to maintain proper fluid balance in the body. Besides culinary uses, NaCl has industrial applications, including de-icing roads, water conditioning, and in the production of various chemicals.