sodium
(Science: Chemistry, element) Sodium is a soft, silvery, highly reactive alkali metal which has an atomic number of 11 and an atomic weight of 22.990. It is most commonly found in the form of salt, sodium chloride (NaCl).
It was first identified as an element by the english scientist Sir Humphrey Davy in 1807. Sodium chloride is a critical nutrient in humans (it plays an important role in nerve function), but too much of it can cause health problems such as aggravating high blood pressure.
pure metallic sodium is a fire hazard, and it can explode if it comes into contact with water. Other commonly used sodium compounds include soda ash (sodium carbonate, Na2CO3), baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO3) and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide, NaOH).
Abbreviation: Na
Dictionary > Sodium
You will also like...

Plant Auxins – Phototropism & Geotropism
Plants produce hormones to regulate their growth. Auxins, for instance, influence plant growth. Know the role of auxin i..

Ecosystem Succession
If the balance of nature is left untouched, landscapes can change dramatically over time. A previous ecosystem is supers..

Plant Tissues
Plant organs are comprised of tissues working together for a common function. The different types of plant tissues are m..

Running Water Freshwater Community Factors
This tutorial noted some of the physical and chemical factors that provide the framework of a running water community in..

IQ, Creativity and Learning
Human intelligence provided the means to utilize abstract ideas and implement reasoning. This tutorial takes a further l..

ATP & ADP – Biological Energy
ATP is the energy source that is typically used by an organism in its daily activities. The name is based on its structu..