Table of Contents
What is Sodium Metal? ; Properties of Sodium ; Reactions of Sodium ;Uses of Sodium
Sodium metal is a soft, silver-white metal that is very reactive. It is the lightest of the alkali metals. Sodium metal is used in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, and other cleaning products. It is also used in the production of sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, and sodium hydroxide.
Principal Na Compounds
A principal compound is a type of chemical compound that is the most important representative of a certain class of compounds. In other words, a principal compound is the most important type of molecule within a certain category of molecules. For example, water is the principal compound within the category of molecules known as hydrogens. Carbon dioxide is the principal compound within the category of molecules known as carbon oxides. And benzene is the principal compound within the category of molecules known as aromatic hydrocarbons.
Reaction with Air
The reaction of magnesium with air can be represented by the following equation:
2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s)
In this reaction, magnesium reacts with oxygen to form magnesium oxide. Magnesium oxide is a white solid that is insoluble in water.
Reaction with Nonmetals
Nonmetals react with metals to form ionic compounds. In these compounds, the metal atom transfers one or more electrons to the nonmetal atom. This creates a stable electron configuration for the metal atom and an unstable electron configuration for the nonmetal atom. The ions formed by these reactions are typically colorless and soluble in water.
Organic Reactions
In organic chemistry, an organic reaction is a chemical reaction involving the rearrangement of atoms within molecules of organic compounds. The bonds between the atoms in organic molecules can be broken and reformed in different ways, allowing for the formation of new molecules with different properties.
Some of the most common organic reactions are:
– Combustion: a reaction between a fuel and oxygen that produces heat and light
– Synthesis: the combination of two or more molecules to form a new molecule
– Decomposition: the breaking down of a molecule into smaller molecules
– Substitution: the replacement of one atom or group of atoms in a molecule with another atom or group of atoms
Reaction with Metals
Gold and silver are two metals that form alloys with other metals. An alloy is a mixture of two or more metals.
Gold and silver form alloys with other metals to make coins, jewelry, and other objects. Alloys are stronger and harder than the metals they are made of, so they can be used to make objects that are not easily damaged.
