![]() ![]() Sodium ions are the major cation in the extracellular fluid (ECF) and as such are the major contributor to the ECF osmotic pressure and ECF compartment volume. Sodium is an essential element for all animals and some plants. Among many other useful sodium compounds, sodium hydroxide (lye) is used in soap manufacture, and sodium chloride (edible salt) is a de-icing agent and a nutrient for animals including humans. Sodium was first isolated by Humphry Davy in 1807 by the electrolysis of sodium hydroxide. ![]() Many salts of sodium are highly water-soluble: sodium ions have been leached by the action of water from the Earth's minerals over eons, and thus sodium and chlorine are the most common dissolved elements by weight in the oceans. Sodium is the sixth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and exists in numerous minerals such as feldspars, sodalite and rock salt (NaCl). SODIUM ELEMENT FREEThe free metal does not occur in nature, but must be prepared from compounds. Sodium is an alkali metal, being in group 1 of the periodic table, because it has a single electron in its outer shell that it readily donates, creating a positively charged atom-the Na+ cation. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal. It cannot be maintained in an inert atmosphere and contact with water and other substances with which sodium reacts should be avoided.Sodium is a chemical element with symbol Na (from Latin natrium) and atomic number 11. Sodium metal should be handled with great care. Thirteen isotopes of sodium are recognized. The importance of common salt to animal nutrition has been recognized since prehistoric times.Īmong the many compounds that are of the greatest industrial importance are common salt (NaCl), soda ash (Na 2CO 3), baking soda (NaHCO 3), caustic soda (NaOH), Chile saltpeter (NaNO 3), di- and tri-sodium phosphates, sodium thiosulfate (hypo, Na 2S 2O 3 Soap is generally a sodium salt of certain fatty acids. Sodium compounds are important to the paper, glass, soap, textile, petroleum, chemical, and metal industries. The metal may be used to improve the structure of certain alloys, descale metal, and purify molten metals.Īn alloy of sodium with potassium, NaK, is an important heat transfer agent. Metallic sodium is vital in the manufacture of esters and in the preparation of organic compounds. It normally does not ignite in air at temperatures below 115☌. It may or may not ignite spontaneously on water, depending on the amount of oxide and metal exposed to the water. Decomposition in water results in the evolution of hydrogen and the formation of the hydroxide. Sodium is a soft, bright, silvery metal which floats on water. Sodium, like every reactive element, is never found free in nature. The most common compound is sodium chloride (table salt), but it occurs in many other minerals, such as soda niter, cryolite, amphibole, zeolite, etc. ![]() ![]() This method is much cheaper than that of electrolyzing sodium hydroxide, as was used several years ago. It is now obtained commercially by the electrolysis of absolutely dry fused sodium chloride. Sodium is the fourth most abundant element on earth, comprising about 2.6% of the earth's crust it is the most abundant of the alkali group of metals. The D lines of sodium are among the most prominent in the solar spectrum. Sodium is present in fair abundance in the sun and stars. Long recognized in compounds, sodium was first isolated by Davy in 1807 by electrolysis of caustic soda. Sodium is a soft, bright, silvery metal which floats on water.įrom the English word, soda Medieval Latin, sodanum: a headache remedy. ![]()
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