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Sodium (Na) is a chemical element with the symbol Na (from Latin "natrium") and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal. Sodium is an alkali metal, being in group 1 of the periodic table. Its only stable isotope is ^23Na. The free metal does not occur in nature, but must be prepared from compounds. Sodium is the sixth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and exists in numerous minerals such as feldspars, sodalite, and rock salt (NaCl). Many salts of sodium are highly water-soluble: sodium ions have been leached by the action of water from the Earth's minerals over eons, and thus sodium and chlorine are the most common dissolved elements by weight in the oceans.

Properties

Sodium at standard temperature and pressure is characterized by a bright, silvery appearance. It is highly reactive, especially with water, and must be handled with care. Upon exposure to air, it forms a thin layer of sodium oxide, which protects the bulk metal from further oxidation. Sodium's metallic structure is body-centered cubic (bcc), with a density of 0.968 g/cm^3.

Occurrence

Sodium makes up about 2.6% of the Earth's crust by weight, making it the sixth most abundant element overall and the most abundant alkali metal. It is primarily extracted from the ore rock salt (halite) or from brine wells.

Uses

Sodium has a wide range of uses. It is most commonly known for its role in salt (sodium chloride), which is essential for life in general and is one of the basic human tastes. Sodium is also used in the production of glass, paper, textiles, and soaps. In its metallic form, it can be used as a heat exchanger in some nuclear reactors and as a reagent in the chemicals industry. Sodium vapor lamps, which produce a very efficient form of lighting, are another common application.

Biological Role

Sodium ions play a key role in living organisms. They are essential for maintaining cell membrane potential and are involved in transporting substances across cell membranes. Sodium is crucial in the operation of nervous systems and in muscle contraction. The human body regulates sodium levels carefully, with the kidneys filtering out excess sodium into the urine.

Health Effects

While sodium is essential for health, too much sodium can lead to health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Most health organizations recommend reducing sodium intake, primarily through the reduction of salt consumption.

See Also

• Periodic table
• Salt
• Electrolyte
• Hypertension

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