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What the name
means: The name sodium comes from
the early Latin word sodanum that
described a sodium compound used for
relieving headaches.
The
symbol for sodium is Na. This derives from
the Latin word nitrum, a word used
to describe alkalis. In Europe, this word
was changed to natrum and, once the
metal had been isolated, it was called
natrium.
Who identified
sodium? In 1807 Humphry Davy was
experimenting using electrolysis to try to
separate the metal from the non-metal part
in molten (melted) sodium compounds. He
obtained sodium by the electrolysis of
molten caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).
About sodium:
Extracted sodium is soft, grey and
looks shiny. It is extremely reactive. The
metal is stored under oil to prevent a
reaction with the oxygen in the air. Sodium
belongs to the first vertical group of the
periodic table, the alkali metals. Sodium
hydroxide (caustic soda or lye) is a strong
alkali that has been in use since ancient
times. Sodium chloride, or common salt, is
essential to all living things and has to
be included in their diet. Humans need
sodium chloride for the correct functioning
of many of the body systems, for example
the nervous system and the excretory
system. |
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