Sodium ( Alkali Metal )

• Sodium was discovered by Humphry Davy in 1807. From the Latin name of sodanum (headache remedy)
• It is a bright silvery metal and highly reactive than lithium.
• Sodium floats on water, which decomposes it to evolve hydrogen and form the hydroxide.
• It is a soft metal readily cut with the knife and is a good conductor of electricity.
• Sodium is relatively abundant in the sun and other stars.
• Sodium occurs in many minerals such as Cryolite, Zeolite, amphipole and sodalite.
• It is not found free in nature.

Symbol                                -  Na

Atomic number                  - 11

Number of electrons          - 2, 8, 1

Electronic configuration  - [ Neon ]  3s¹

Melting point                     - 370.87 K

Boiling point                      - 1156 K

Atomic weight                    -  22.9897

Atomic Structure:

Uses:

• Sodium vapour is used in lamps for street light.
• It is used for manufacture of sodamide, sodium cyanide, sodium peroxide and sodium hydride.
• Sodium compounds are used in glass, paper, chemical, soap, petroleum and metal industries.
• It is used in the reduction of organic ester and preparation of organic compounds.
• The alloy of sodium and potassium is ( NaK )- It is a good chemical reducing agent and heat transfer agent.
• Sodium metal is used in the preparation of (tetraethyl lead) PbEt₄ and titanium metal from PbEt₄
• Sodium chloride is important for animal nutrition.