Sodium
By: Mariah Edwards
Toni Watson
Rudy E.
What is Sodium?
Sodium is the sixth 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 Humphrey 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.
How is sodium used?
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.
What are the compounds of
sodium?
Sodium also forms many useful
compounds. Some of the most
common are: table salt (NaCl), soda
ash (Na2CO3), baking soda
(NaHCO3), caustic soda (NaOH),
Chile saltpeter (NaNO3) and borax
(Na2B4O7·10H2O).
Basic Information of Sodium:
Atomic Number:11
Atomic Weight:22.98976928
Melting Point:370.95 K (97.80°C or 208.04°F) Boiling Point:1156 K (883°C or
1621°F)
Density:0.97 grams per cubic centimeter
Phase at Room Temperature:Solid
Element Classification:Metal
Period Number:3
Group Number:1
Group Name:Alkali Metal
What are the properties of
Sodium?
Sodium like every reactive element is
never found free in nature. Sodium is a
soft, bright, silvery metal which floats
on water. Decomposition in water
results in the evolution of hydrogen and
the formation of the hydroxide. It may
or may not ignite spontaneously on
water, depending on the amount of
oxide and metal exposed to the water.
It normally does not ignite in air at
temperature below 115 C.
Common Sodium
Compounds:
There are a very big amount of compounds that
have the element Sodium involved in them.
Here are a bunch of the common compounds
that are partly formed by Sodium.
NaCl-Salt
NaCO3-Baking soda
NaOH-Chile saltpeter
Na2B4O2-Borax
Na2CO3-Soda ash
NaOH-Caustic soda
Na2S2O3-Sodium Thiosulfate
Potential Health Effects:
Inhalation: Causes irritation to the
respiratory system. Also, causes sore
throat, coughing, dizziness, and
fainting.
Ingestion: Highly toxic, and causes
nausea, vomiting, headache,
restlessness, and diarrhea.
Skin Contact: irritation, redness, and
pain
Eye Contact: Irritation, redness, pain,
and blurred vision
Interesting Facts:
Sodium is a very, very interesting element.
Probably, the most interesting fact about it is
that it is used in edible foods, but is the most
reactive of the alkali group of metals, and the
fourth most abundant element out of them all.
It is too reactive of a metal element to be
found in nature. Also, it comprises about 2.6%
of the earth's crust.
Sodium is a soft, bright, silvery metal, that can
float on water. The strange thing is it also
ignites with water, but only in air temperature
below 115 degrees Celsius.
Facts
The Atomic number of the element Sodium is 11. This
means that there are 11 protons and neutrons in it's
nucleus, and 11 electrons distributed specially on the
energy levels. There are two electrons on the first level,
eight on the second, and one on the third. Having only
one electron on the last energy level makes it very
reactive. This last electron is called a valence electron.
By the way Sodium's atomic weight is about 23. Also,
Sodium's melting point is 97.8 degrees Celsius. Another
important thing about Sodium is it's boiling point is
552.9 degrees Celsius.
The element sodium is a metal, and to be specific an
alkali metal. On the periodic table of elements it is in
group 1, and period 3. This element also has special
colors and shapes.
References
• http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec12/ch155/c
h155k.html
• http://www.webelements.com/webelements/
elements/text/Na/key.html
• http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/11.html
• http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele011.
html
• http://www.uncp.edu/home/mcclurem/ptable
/na.htm