1
Sodium, the sixth most abundant element found in the earth’s crust, is rarely found
in its pure form, but in numerous compounds. Sir Humphry Davy was the first to
isolate the element in 1807.
2
Sodium in its many forms is invaluable to industries, such as caustic soda (detergents
and drain cleaners), sodium chloride (de-icers), sodium hydroxide (soap making),
sodium bicarbonate (raising agent for baking), sodium carbonate (commonly known
as soda ash) for making glass. Sodium is also used as a coolant in nuclear reactor
cores.
3
Bicarbonate of soda is believed to have the potential to save thousands of
pounds on cleaning products in the home. Its neutralizing powers can eliminate
odors, abrade with its grainy texture, being alkaline dissolves grime. A simple compound, yet most
commercial household cleaners work in exactly the same way.
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| Sodium Chloride: Table Salt |
Atomic
number: 11
Atomic
weight: 22.989770
State: silver-white alkaline metallic solid
Category:
alkali metal
Melting
point: 98°C (208°F)
Boiling
point: 883°C (1,621°F)
Is Sodium a Mineral or Metal?
5
Table salt actually contains a metal – a soft alkali metal in the form of
sodium within sodium chloride. But salt itself is classed as an ionic salt, a
crystalline mineral.
6
Salt is was valued as a taste enhancer in food that is was used like currency
in the Roman times which is where the word ‘salary’ is derived, from the Latin
word ‘sal, for salt. In fact, sodium’s chemical symbol Na, is from the Latin
word natrium, meaning sodium.
7
The sea’s salty taste is due to sodium compounds being washed from rocks over billions
of years. Sodium and chloride are two of the most common elements by weight
that are dissolved in seawater.
8
Sodium is sometimes considered to be a mineral because it is found in numerous
mineral compounds, namely sodalite, halite, cryolite, zeolite, borax, amphibole,
soda niter and sodium chloride…table salt.
9
Being highly reactive, sodium is prone to oxidization from the air and spontaneous
combustion when in contact with water. It has to be kept in oil or kerosene to
retain stability.
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| Sodium Symbol |
10
Although sodium is needed in the body and is found in table salt, is not to be
eaten alone as it is highly reactive. The chloride makes the sodium available
to the body as an essential electrolyte for nerve impulses, muscle contractions,
fluid regulation and cell function. Sodium is given for dehydration due to
overexertion, diarrhea or sunstroke.
11
But too much salt can cause water retention, high blood pressure, kidney disease
and stroke. Recommended doses should remain below 0.5mg of salt per day.
12
Sodium is a staple ingredient for skin creams, hydrating and defending against
free radicals that can damage skin cells through sun exposure or ageing. Sodium
hydroxide is used for skin cleansing products, acne treatment or as a buffering
agent to remove dead skin cells. It can also be found in some toothpastes.
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