Sodium

sodium (Na), chemical element of the alkali metal group (Group 1 [Ia]) of the periodic table. Sodium is a very soft silvery-white metal. Sodium is the most common alkali metal and the sixth most abundant element on Earth, comprising 2.8 percent of Earth's crust.

Sodium is used in the production of titanium, sodamide, sodium cyanide, sodium peroxide, and sodium hydride. Liquid sodium has been used as a coolant for nuclear reactors. Sodium vapor is used in streetlights and produces a brilliant yellow light.

Hydrogen

Identity.

Chemical element, symbol: Na, atomic number: 11 and atomic weight 22,9898. It's a soft metal, reactive and with a low melting point, with a relative density of 0,97 at 20ºC (68ºF). From the commercial point of view, sodium is the most important of all the alkaline metals.

Atomic Structure:

The nucleus consists of 11 protons (red) and 12 neutrons (blue). 11 electrons (green) bind to the nucleus, with a single, relatively unstable electron in the outer shell (ring).

History.

The name derives from the English soda and Latin sodanum for "headache remedy". The symbol Na derives from the Latin natrium for "natron" (soda in English). Sodium was discovered in 1807 by the English chemist Humphry Davy from electrolysis of caustic soda (NaOH).

Although sodium is the sixth most abundant element on earth and comprises about 2.6% of the earth's crust, it is a very reactive element and is never found free in nature. Pure sodium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1807 through the electrolysis of caustic soda (NaOH). Since sodium can ignite on contact with water, it must be stored in a moisture free environment. From the English word, soda; Medieval Latin, sodanum: a headache remedy. Long recognized in compounds, sodium was first isolated by Davy in 1807 by electrolysis of caustic soda.

Paracelsus

Usage.

Sodium is used as a heat exchanger in some nuclear reactors, and as a reagent in the chemicals industry. But sodium salts have more uses than the metal itself. The most common compound of sodium is sodium chloride (common salt).

  • Table salt: Sodium chloride (NaCl), commonly known as table salt, is the most common form of sodium. It is used to season food and preserve food products.
  • Chemical industry: Sodium is used in the production of many chemicals, including chlorine, caustic soda, and sodium carbonate.
  • Metal production: Sodium is used in the extraction and purification of some metals, such as magnesium and titanium.
Some of the benefits of using hydrogen are:
  • It is a clean fuel that only produces water as a by-product when burned or used in a fuel cell.
  • Sodium helps regulate the amount of fluid in your body, which is crucial for many bodily functions, including maintaining blood pressure and supporting nerve and muscle function.
  • Sodium aids in the absorption of other essential minerals, like calcium and potassium.
  • Sodium enhances the flavor of food, making it more enjoyable to eat.

Sources.

Large amounts of sodium can be hidden in canned, processed and convenience foods. And sodium can be found in many foods that are served at fast food restaurants. Sodium controls fluid balance in our bodies and maintains blood volume and blood pressure

The most common compound is sodium chloride. This very soluble salt has been leached into the oceans over the lifetime of the planet, but many salt beds or 'lakes' are found where ancient seas have evaporated. It is also found in many minerals including cryolite, zeolite and sodalite.

Properties.

Some of the properties of pure sodium metal are: very reactive, a good conductor of electricity and heat, low density, float in water, soft, malleable, and ductile, have a boiling point of 98 degrees Celsius, and its common form is the sodium cation (Na+).

It is highly reactive, reacting explosively with water. It is a silver-white metal having a waxy appearance. It is soft with a bright shiny surface, however as sodium reacts with oxygen in the air it becomes dull due to the formation of a sodium oxide (Na2O) film.

Chemical element, symbol: Na, atomic number: 11 and atomic weight 22,9898. It's a soft metal, reactive and with a low melting point, with a relative density of 0,97 at 20ºC (68ºF). From the commercial point of view, sodium is the most important of all the alkaline metals.