Sodium

Sodium

Symbol: Na 

Atomic Number: 11 

Atomic Weight: 22.99 

Classification: Alkali metal 

Phase at Room Temperature: Solid

 Density: 0.968 grams per cm cubed

 Melting Point: 97.72 ° C, 207.9 ° F

 Boiling Point: 883 ° C, 1621 ° F 

Discovered by : Sir Humphry Davy in 1807 

Sodium is an alkali metal located in the first group or column of the periodic table. The sodium atom has 11 electrons and 11 protons with one valence electron in the outer shell. 

Characteristics and Properties 

Sodium in its pure form is very reactive. It is a very soft metal that can be easily cut with a knife. It is silvery-white in color and burns with a yellow flame. Sodium will float on water, but it will also react violently when coming into contact with water. When sodium reacts with water it produces sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Sodium is most famous for its many useful compounds such as table salt (NaCl), sodium nitrate (Na2CO3), and baking soda (NaHCO3). Many of the compounds that sodium forms are water-soluble, meaning they dissolve in water. 

Where is sodium found on Earth? Sodium is the sixth most abundant element on Earth. It is never found in its pure form because it is so reactive. It is only found in compounds such as sodium chloride (NaCL) or table salt. Sodium chloride is found in ocean water (salt water), salt lakes, and underground deposits. Pure sodium can be recovered from sodium chloride through electrolysis.

 How is sodium used today? Sodium is primarily used in the form of compounds with other elements. The average person uses sodium every day in the form of table salt in their food. Table salt is the compound sodium chloride (NaCl). Table salt is needed for animals to survive, but most people use it for adding flavor to their food. Another popular use of sodium is in baking soda which is the chemical compound sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda is used as a leavening agent in cooking foods like pancakes, cakes, and breads. A lot of soaps are forms of sodium salts. Sodium hydroxide is a key ingredient when making soaps. Other applications include de-icing, medicine, organic chemistry, street lights, and cooling nuclear reactors.

 How was it discovered? Sodium was discovered by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1807. He isolated sodium by applying electrolysis to caustic soda. 

Where did sodium get its name? Sodium gets its name from the English word soda. This is because Sir Humphry Davy used caustic soda when isolating the element. The symbol Na comes from the Latin word natrium. 

Isotopes Only one of the 20 known isotopes of sodium is stable, sodium-23. 

Interesting Facts about Sodium Sir Humphry Davy discovered sodium only a few days after he discovered potassium. Sodium comprises around 2.6% of the Earth's crust. It helps to maintain the proper fluid balance in the body's cells and also helps us to digest our food. Our bodies lose sodium when we sweat. However, most people eat far more sodium than their bodies actually need. If the body runs low on sodium, it can cause the muscles to cramp. Sodium is considered non-toxic, but too much of it can cause high blood pressure.

Potassium

 Potassium 

Symbol: K

Atomic Number: 19 

Atomic Weight: 39.0983 

Classification: Alkali metal 

Phase at Room Temperature: Solid 

Density: 0.86 grams per cm cubed 

Melting Point: 63.38°C, 146.08°F 

Boiling Point: 759°C, 1398°F 

Discovered by: Sir Humphry Davy in 1807 

Potassium is the fourth element in the first column of the periodic table. It is classified as an alkali metal. Potassium atoms have 19 electrons and 19 protons with one valence electron in the outer shell. Potassium is considered chemically similar to sodium, the alkali metal above it on the periodic table.

 Characteristics and Properties

 Under standard conditions potassium is a soft silvery-white metal. It is so soft that it can be easily cut with a knife. When cut, the exposed metal tarnishes quickly and forms a dull oxide coating. Potassium has a very low melting point such that even a candle can cause it to melt. When it burns, it produces a pale purple colored flame. Potassium also has a very low density and is the second least dense metal after lithium. It is so light that it can float in water. Chemically, potassium is a very active metal. It reacts violently when coming into contact with water, producing heat and hydrogen gas. It also reacts with many other elements and substances such as oxygen, acids, sulfur, fluorine, and nitrogen. 

Where is potassium found on Earth?

 Because potassium reacts so readily with water, it is not found in its elemental form in nature. Instead it is found in various minerals such as sylvite, carnallite, langbeinite, and kainite. Most minerals that contain potassium are referred to as potash. Making up about 2.1% of the weight of the Earth's crust, potassium is the eighth most abundant element in the crust. It can also be found in ocean water where it is also about the eighth most abundant element. 

How is potassium used today? The largest use of potassium is potassium chloride (KCl) which is used to make fertilizers. This is because potassium is important for plant growth. Industrial applications for potassium include soaps, detergents, gold mining, dyes, glass production, gunpowder, and batteries. Potassium also plays a vital role in our bodies. It is used in muscle contraction, fluid and pH balance, bone health, and helps to prevent kidney stones. It is about the eighth most abundant element in the human body by weight. 

How was it discovered? Potassium was first isolated by English chemist Sir Humphry Davy in 1807. He used electricity to separate the element from the salt potash. 

Where did potassiu m get its name?Potassium gets its name from the salt potash from which potassium was first isolated. The K symbol for the element comes from the Latin word "kalium", which means potash. 

Isotopes There are three isotopes of potassium that occur naturally: K-39, 40, and 41. The majority (93%) of potassium found in nature is K-39. 

Interesting Facts about Potassium Potassium chloride (KCl) is sometimes used as a substitute for table salt. The USDA recommends that adults consume 4.7 grams of potassium each day. A small amount of potassium can taste sweet. A higher concentration can taste bitter or salty. Potassium bicarbonate is the chemical name for baking soda. It is used in fire extinguishers, baking powders, and antacids. Some good sources of potassium in our diet include bananas, avocados, nuts, chocolate, parsley, and potatoes.