Sodium | Name | Sodium | | Symbol | Na | | Atomic Number | 11 | | Atomic Mass | 22.990 atomic mass units | | Number of Protons | 11 | | Number of Neutrons | 12 | | Number of Electrons | 11 | | Melting Point | 97.88° C | | Boiling Point | 552.9° C | | Density | 2.62 grams per cubic centimeter | | Normal Phase | Solid | | Family | Alkali Metals | | Period | 3 | | Cost | 15 to 20 cents per pound | | Origin of Name | From the English word soda; the symbol Na comes from the Latin word natrium | | Date and Place of Discovery | In 1807 in England | | Discovered by | Sir Humphrey Davy | | Common Compounds | - Sodium chloride or salt (NaCl)
- Soda ash (Na2CO3)
- Baking soda (NaHCO3)
- Sodium hydroxide or caustic soda (NaOH)
- Sodium nitrate or Chilean saltpeter (NaNO3)
- Sodium Borate or borax (Na2B4O7)
| | Interesting facts | - It is found free in nature.
- It will float on water.
- It will ignite spontaneously on water.
- It is abundant in the sun and other stars.
- It is the sixth most abundant element on earth with 2.6% of the earth's crust.
- It is the most abundant of the alkali metals.
- It is found in minerals like cryolite, soda niter, zeolite, amphibole, and sodalite.
| | Common Uses | - Glass
- Soap
- Paper
- Textile
- Chemical
- Petroleum
- Metal industries
- Heat transfer agents
| Photo Courtesy of About.com About: Chemistry Corrosion Source Web Elements Wikipedia | | Sodium Atomic Structure | Elements by Name | Elements by Number | Home | |
