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/ch155k.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