Beyond Atomic Numbers - Every Element Has a Story
22.990
1
3
S Block
Alkali Metal
Sodium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1807 using electrolysis of molten sodium hydroxide.
Sodium is abundant on Earth and is found mainly in salt deposits, seawater and various minerals.
Group 1 | Period 3 | S Block | Alkali Metal
Sodium compounds are used in food preservation, glass manufacturing, soap production, paper industries and chemical processing.
Chlorine, Oxygen and Sulfur
Water and air moisture react vigorously with pure sodium metal.
Electronic Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p⁶ 3s¹
Sodium easily loses one electron, making it highly reactive and an excellent conductor of electricity.
Pure sodium metal is so soft that it can be cut with a knife.
Most of the salt dissolved in seawater is sodium chloride. The sodium ions in oceans play a major role in Earth's water chemistry.
Sodium ions help regulate nerve signals, muscle contractions and fluid balance in the body. Without sodium, life would not function properly.
Scientists are developing sodium-ion batteries as a lower-cost alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale energy storage.
Sodium is created inside stars through nuclear fusion processes. Astronomers often identify sodium in stellar atmospheres by its bright yellow spectral lines.