Alkaline metal sodium was discovered in 1807 by the English chemist H. Davy in the course of electrolysis of caustic soda. In 1808 also managed to receive this metal Zh. Gay Lyusak and L. Tenar at decomposition of a caustic natr the heated iron.
The main distinctive feature of sodium is very high chemical activity. In the nature in pure form this metal does not meet. To exclude contact and interaction with air, artificially emitted sodium is usually stored in kerosene.
Whether has a smell?
Soft alkaline metal of silvery color represents sodium. On texture he reminds soap and is easily knifed. In pure form, as well as any other metal, a smell has no sodium absolutely.
On air at contact with oxygen sodium very quickly is oxidized with formation of oxide:
- 4Na + O2 = 2Na2O.
When burning this metal on air peroxide is formed:
- 2Na + O2 = Na2O2.
Neither peroxide, nor smell sodium oxide have also no.
With water sodium interacts with formation of caustic soda and hydrogen in a free state:
- 2Na + 2H2O = 2NaOH + H2.
Reaction of sodium with water very violently proceeds. Metal begins "to run" on its surface and to melt with release of hydrogen which in the subsequent explodes. That is you should not make similar experiment independently in house conditions at all.
In interaction of sodium with water it is also not formed any substances which would smell of something. Some researchers note that at such reaction pretty pungent smell reminding ozone is often felt. However it is possible to connect it, most likely, only with the fact that sodium is stored in kerosene.
Physical properties
Besides chemical activity, sodium also differs in pretty high degree of heat conductivity and conductivity. Melting temperature at this metal very low — only 97.86 °C. Sodium at much more high temperature in 883.15 °C begins to boil.
At elevated pressure this metal becomes transparent and gains ruby-red color. Sodium in itself is not toxic agent. But it is not recommended to pick up it without gloves extremely. At contact with skin moisture this metal forms alkali that leads to a severe thermal and chemical burn.
Sodium can be used in metallurgy, electrical equipment, the nuclear industry, medicine. This metal plays just huge role also in life of living organisms. Without sodium, for example, normal work of cardiovascular and nervous systems is impossible.