Essay/Term paper: Sodium

Essay, term paper, research paper:  College Papers

Sodium is a highly reactive, silvery white, extremely soft metal element.
The atomic number of sodium is 11 and the atomic symbol is Na. It was
discovered in 1807 by British chemist Sir Humphry Davy.

Until the 18th century, scientists could not tell the difference between
potassium and sodium. Eventually a distinction was made between the to by
Sir Humphry Davy, who obtained it from a chemical process. (It is now
obtained by electrolysis.) Sodium was used as a headache remedy by in the
medieval times.


Sodium is not only present on earth; it is present in the sun and stars.
Sodium makes up about 2.6% of the earth&rsquos crust. It evaporates
immediately on exposure to air. It reacts violently with water. Sodium
melts at about 98 degrees C (208 degrees F), and boils at about 883
degrees C (bout 1621 degrees F).

Sodium is only found in nature in the combined state. It is mostly found
in the ocean and salt lakes as sodium chloride, and sometimes found as
sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate.

Sodium is a very reactive element. It may or may not ignite water all the
time. Though it normally does ignite in air temperatures below 115
degrees C.

Metallic sodium is vital in the manufacture of esters. Sodium is in table
salt as part of a compound. It is also in streetlights as a pure element
and in batteries as an alloy. Sodium is found in as an alloy in nuclear
reactor coolant. Sodium hydroxide, (a compound of sodium) is used in the
manufacture of soap, rayon and paper.