sodium

Sodium

Among the metallic elements sodium is one of the most reactive metal.It reacts rapidly with air or water.Therefore it cannot be left exposed to air.It is stored in some paraffine extracts such as kerosine oil.
The reaction of sodium with air is so fast that the surface of the metal is always tarnished,hence the metallic luster cannot be observed.
when comparing with other metals sodium is a soft metal.Hence it can be easily cut with a knife.The shiny metallic luster can be easily
 be noticed at the cut surface.
Sodium particles   give a bright yellow colour to the flame.

Chemical properties of sodium

• Sodium metal shows a strong attraction to oxygen,It reacts vigorously with oxygen of the air to form the oxide of the metal.

                        2Na(s) + O2 (g) ----------> 2Na2o(s)

•  The sodium oxide so formed will react with water vapour  of air to give sodium hydroxide.This will further react with carbon dioxide gas in air to form  sodium carbonate.    

                      Na2O(s)  +  H2o(l)  -----------> 2NaOH(s)

                      2NaOH(s) + CO2(g) ----------> Na2CO3(s) + H2O(l)

•   Sodium reacts rapidly with cold water forming sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

                      2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) ----------> 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

• Sodium reacts violently with dilute acids producing the salt of the acid and hydrogen gas.

                     2Na(s) + 2HCl(aq) -----------> 2NaCl(aq) + H2(g)

      Uses of Sodium

Sodium  metal is used in

• producing sodium cyanide needed for the extraction of  gold and silver
• making sodium amalgum used as a reducing agent in organic chemistry for seperating the metals from compounds of titanium and zirconium.
• preparing drugs such as vitamin C.
• sodium vapour lamps.