What is Sodium? Origin / Meaning of the name Sodium
Sodium, referred to as soda by the English, was isolated in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy through the electrolysis of caustic soda. The symbol of the element is Na which comes for the Latin name for a common sodium compound called natrium (from the Greek 'nítron' a natural salt).
What is Sodium? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Sodium Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a solid. Sodium is classified as an "Alkali Metal" and located in Group 1 elements of the Periodic Table. An Element classified as an Alkali Metal is a very reactive metal that does not occur freely in nature. Alkali metals are soft, malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. Nearly 75% of all the elements in the Periodic Table are classified as metals which are detailed in the List of Metals. For additional facts and information refer to Sodium Properties.
What is Sodium? Occurrence of the Sodium Element
Sodium makes up about 2.6% of the Earth's crust
Fourth most abundant element
Relatively abundant in stars
Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 0.002%
% in Sun 0.004%
% in Meteorites 0.55%
% in Earth's Crust 2.3%
% in Oceans 1.1%
% in Humans 0.14%
Medical Uses of Sodium - Health and Treatments
Interesting information is contained in the following list of Medical Uses of Sodium, Health and Treatments. Sodium salts, such as sodium bicarbonate, are widely used in medications.
Disorders of the stomach, acid indigestion: Bloating, wind, pain: Sodium salts such as sodium bicarbonate, also known as bicarbonate of soda is used as a gastric antacid and urinary alkalinizer
A useful reference providing information regarding the medical uses of Sodium, associated health issues and disorders and treatments using Sodium preparations.
Associated Uses of Sodium
Medicine
Agriculture
Manufacture of organic compounds
To purify molten metals
Sodium carbonate soap cleaners
Sodium hydroxide soap cleaners
Medicine and Health Care
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium chloride
Sodium hypochlorite
Sodium nitrate
Naproxen sodium
Sodium silicate
Facts about the History of the Discovery of Sodium Element
Sodium was isolated in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy through the electrolysis of caustic soda.
Sir Humphry Davy
Sir Humphry Davy (1778-1829) isolated sodium, Lithium, Potassium, barium, strontium, and Calciumby means of electrolysis. Davy also demonstrated the elementary nature of Chlorine, invented the safety lamp and discovered the stupefying effects of nitrous oxide.
