Na
22.990Sodium
Sodyum
Sodium is a soft, silvery alkali metal with atomic number 11. It reacts vigorously with water, commonly forms Na⁺ ions, and is best known through sodium chloride, baking soda, sodium carbonate and many industrial sodium compounds.
11
22.99 g/mol
[Ne] 3s¹
2 | 8 | 1
0.93
0.968 g/cm³
97.72 °C
882.9 °C
Humphry Davy
Sodium was isolated by Humphry Davy in 1807 through electrolysis of caustic soda. Its chemical symbol, Na, comes from natrium, a Latin-derived name linked to sodium compounds.
Sodium-23
Natural abundance: 100%. The only stable naturally occurring isotope of sodium.Sodium-24
Natural abundance: Synthetic. Half-life: About 15 hours. Radioactive isotope used as a tracer in scientific and medical contexts.NaCl
Sodium ChlorideTable salt and major industrial raw material.NaHCO₃
Sodium BicarbonateBaking soda used in food, antacids and cleaning.Na₂CO₃
Sodium CarbonateWashing soda used in glassmaking, detergents and water softening.NaOH
Sodium HydroxideStrong base used in chemical manufacturing, soap production and cleaning.- Sodium chloride as table salt and road de-icing salt
- Sodium carbonate for glass production, detergents and water softening
- Sodium bicarbonate in baking, antacids and cleaning products
- Metallic sodium as a reagent and heat-transfer material in specialized systems
- Sodium vapor lamps and industrial sodium compounds
Sodium is essential in animals and humans. Sodium ions help regulate fluid balance, nerve impulses and muscle function, although excessive sodium intake is associated with health risks.
- Sodium is stored under oil because it reacts with air and moisture.
- Sodium reacts with water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
- The yellow color of many street lamps comes from excited sodium atoms, especially the strong sodium D lines near 589 nm.
- Sodium has atomic number 11 and belongs to group 1.
- Its electron configuration is [Ne] 3s¹.
- Sodium commonly loses one electron to form Na⁺.
- In brine electrolysis, chloride is oxidized at the anode to chlorine gas while hydrogen forms at the cathode.
What is the atomic number of sodium?
The atomic number of sodium is 11.
What is the electron configuration of sodium?
Sodium has the electron configuration [Ne] 3s¹.
Why is sodium reactive?
Sodium has one outer electron that it can lose easily, which makes it a reactive alkali metal.
What color is sodium in a flame test?
Sodium gives an intense yellow flame color from strong sodium D lines near 589 nm.
What happens in brine electrolysis?
In brine electrolysis, chlorine forms at the anode, hydrogen forms at the cathode, and sodium hydroxide remains in solution.
What is sodium used for?
Sodium is used in compounds such as table salt, baking soda, washing soda and sodium hydroxide, and metallic sodium is used in specialized chemical and heat-transfer applications.