The Element Sodium

What is Sodium? Element Properties & Periodic Table Info

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What is the element Sodium as on the Periodic Table?

 What is Sodium as on the Periodic Table? Definition of the Sodium Element
A soft, light, extremely malleable silver-white metallic element that reacts explosively with water, is naturally abundant in combined forms, especially in common salt, and is used in the production of a wide variety of industrially important compounds.

Sodium reacts quickly with water, and also with snow and ice, to produce sodium hydroxide and Hydrogen. Refer to Sodium Reaction for its reaction to Water, Oxygen & Acids. The Atomic Number of this element is 11 and the Element Symbol is Na.

 

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 table of Medical Uses of Sodium, Health and Treatments. Sodium salts, such as sodium bicarbonate, are widely used in medications.
 

Medical uses of Sodium - Health and Treatments

Medical DisordersMedical SymptomsUses of Sodium & Treatments
Disorders of the stomach, acid indigestionBloating, wind, painSodium salts such as sodium bicarbonate, also known as bicarbonate of soda is used as a gastric antacid and urinary alkalinizer
Medical DisordersMedical SymptomsUses of Sodium & Treatments

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

Na

The Properties of the Sodium Element
Symbol of Element : Na
Atomic Number: 11
Atomic Mass: 22.98977 amu
Melting Point: 97.8 °C - 370.95 °K
Boiling Point: 552.9 °C - 826.05005 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons: 11
Number of Neutrons: 12
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 0.971 g/cm3
Color of Sodium :
Silver-white

What is Sodium? The Properties of the Sodium Element
Name of Element : Sodium
Symbol of Element : Na
Atomic Number of Sodium : 11
Atomic Mass: 22.98977 amu
Melting Point: 97.8 °C - 370.95 °K
Boiling Point: 552.9 °C - 826.05005 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons in Sodium : 11
Number of Neutrons in Sodium : 12
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 0.971 g/cm3
Color of Sodium :
Silver-white

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 Calcium by means of electrolysis. Davy also demonstrated the elementary nature of Chlorine, invented the safety lamp and discovered the stupefying effects of nitrous oxide.

Sir Humphry Davy (1778 - 1829)

Sodium as on the Periodic Table
Check out Sodium on the Periodic Table which arranges each chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the Periodic Law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Sodium as on the Periodic Table for additional information and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc with any other element. An invaluable source of facts and information as a Chemistry reference guide.

Other elements classified as Alkali Metals
Alkali metals are soft, malleable, ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity. The other elements contained in this classification are as follows:

  • Lithium
  • Potassium
  • Rubidium
  • Cesium
  • Francium

What is Sodium - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table
The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 and now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri  Mendeleev knew in his day in his day but still all fitting into his concept of  the "Periodic Table" in which Sodium is just one element that can be found.

Learn about what is Sodium with these fast facts...
These articles contain facts and information relating to Sodium and each of the other elements including the Periodic Symbol,  group, classification, properties and atomic number which is often referred to as the Periodic Table Number. Test your knowledge of chemistry and the Periodic Table by completing the Element Symbols and Atomic Numbers on our Blank Periodic Table. Chemistry students will also find a helpful section on Chemical Formulas.

What is the Element Sodium

The Elements are the building blocks of Modern Science & Chemistry


 

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