The chemical formula for salt is NaCl, which stands for sodium chloride. This compound is formed when sodium (Na), a reactive metal, combines with chlorine (Cl), a toxic gas. In nature, salt is found abundantly in seawater and can also be mined from salt deposits. It is widely used in cooking, food preservation, and even in industrial processes. The ionic bond between the sodium and chloride ions gives salt its distinctive properties, including its crystalline structure. Salt has played a vital role in human history, serving as a preservative and even as a form of currency in ancient times.