Is sodium metal or non-metal? It is a mistake to believe that the second option. Sodium is a soft silver-white metal, which is included in the periodic table with atomic number 11.
Moreover, he (more precisely, his compounds) have been known since ancient times! Even the Bible mentioned sodium as a component of a cleaning agent. However, this is a historical reference, albeit an interesting one. Now it’s worth talking about the features of this element and its other characteristics.
Physical properties
So, the answer to the question "Is sodium a metal or non-metal?" extremely clear. Even by looking at this substance, one can understand everything. Obviously, this is metal. Which, by the way, even though it has a silver-white color, but in thin layers it has a purple hue.
This is a very plastic substance. Soft metals are those metals that can be forged without much effort, as well as being ductile and fusible. But in relation to sodium, this word can be applied in the literal sense. It can be cut with a knife effortlessly. By the way, a fresh cut is very bright. Other properties include:
- Density. Under normal conditions, 0.971 g / cm³.
- The melting and boiling points are 97.81 ° C and 882.95 ° C, respectively.
- Molar specific heat is 28.23 J / (K • mol).
- The specific heat of melting and evaporation is 2.64 kJ / mol and 97.9 kJ / mol, respectively.
- The molar volume is 23.7 cm³ / mol.
It is worth noting that under pressure, sodium (Na) becomes red and transparent. In this state, this metal is very similar to ruby.
If placed in room temperature conditions, then it forms crystals in cubic symmetry. However, lowering it to −268 ° C, you can see how the metal goes into the hexagonal phase. To understand what it is about, it is enough to recall graphite. This is a prime example of a hexagonal crystal.
Oxidation and combustion
Now we can move on to the chemical properties of sodium (Na). This alkali metal, being in the air, is easily oxidized. As a result, sodium oxide (Na 2 O) is formed. It looks like colorless cubic crystals. This is a salt-forming binary inorganic substance that is used as a reagent in the synthesis process. With its help, sodium hydroxide and other compounds are made.
Therefore, in order to protect the metal from oxygen exposure, it is stored in kerosene.
But during combustion, sodium peroxide (Na 2 O 2 ) is formed. They look like white-yellow crystals, which are characterized by vigorous interaction with water, accompanied by heat. Na 2 O 2 is used for bleaching silk, wool, fabrics, straw, viscose and wood pulp.
Water reactions
A silver-white soft metal, sodium, also interacts successfully with H 2 O. The reaction with water is very violent. A small piece of sodium placed in this liquid floats up and begins to melt due to the heat generated. As a result, it turns into a white ball, which moves at a rapid pace on the surface of the water in different directions.
This very effective reaction is accompanied by the release of hydrogen. Carrying out a similar experiment, you need to be careful, as it can ignite. And everything happens according to the following equation: 2Na + 2 2 → 2NaOH + 2 ↑.
Non-metal interactions
Sodium is a metal, it can also be called a strong reducing agent, which it is. Like other alkaline substances, however. So it interacts vigorously with many non-metals, except carbon, iodine and noble gases, which include radioactive radon, krypton, neon, xenon, argon and helium. Such reactions look like this: 2Na + Cl 2 → 2NaCl. Or another example: 2Na + 2 → 250-450 ° 2NaH.
It is worth noting that sodium is more active than lithium. In principle, it can react with nitrogen, but very poorly (in a glow discharge). As a result of this interaction, an unstable substance called sodium nitride is formed. These are dark gray crystals that react with water and decompose upon heating. They are formed by the equation: 6Na + N 2 → 2Na 3 N.
Acid Reactions
They should also be listed, talking about the chemical characteristics of sodium. With dilute acids, this substance interacts like an ordinary metal. It looks like this: 2Na + 2HCl → 2NaCl + 2 ↑.
With concentrated substances, which are characterized by oxidative reactions, sodium interacts differently, such reactions are accompanied by the release of reduction products. Here is an example of the formula: 8Na + 10NHO 3 → 8NaNO 3 + 3 2 O.
It is also worth noting that the alkali metal sodium is readily soluble in liquid ammonia (NH 3 ), a 10 percent solution of which is well known to everyone as ammonia. The equation is as follows: Na + 4NH3 → - 40 ° Na [NH 3 ] 4 . As a result of this reaction, a blue solution forms.
The metal also interacts with gaseous ammonia, but when heated. This reaction looks like this: 2Na + 2NH3 → 35 0 ° 2 NaNH 2 + H 2 .
Other compounds
Listing the basic properties of sodium, it is also worth mentioning that it can interact with mercury - a unique element, which under normal conditions is a white-silver heavy liquid, while being a metal.
As a result of this reaction, an alloy is formed. Its exact name is sodium amalgam. This substance is used as a reducing agent, which in its properties is softer than pure metal. If you heat it together with potassium, you get a liquid alloy.
And this metal can dissolve in the so-called crown ethers - macroheterocyclic compounds, but only in the presence of solvents of organic origin. As a result of this reaction, an alkalide (salt, strong reducing agent) or an electrode (blue solvent) is formed.
It is also impossible not to mention that alkyl halides, which are halogen-carbon substances, with an excess of sodium give organo-sodium compounds. In air, they usually ignite spontaneously. And in the water they explode.
Application
The properties and characteristics of sodium allow its wide use in industry, metallurgy, and preparative chemistry as a powerful reducing agent. In addition, this substance is involved:
- In the drainage of solvents of organic origin.
- In the production of sulfur-sodium batteries.
- In exhaust valves of lorry motors. It plays the role of a liquid heat sink.
- In the manufacture of electrical wires that are designed for high currents.
- In alloys with cesium, rubidium and potassium. Together with these substances, sodium forms a highly efficient coolant, which, by the way, is used on fast neutrons in nuclear reactors.
- In discharge lamps.
And these are just some of the areas of its application. But the most common in the world is sodium chloride. It is in almost every home, because it is salt.
And it is impossible not to mention that the earth's crust is 2.6% sodium. Anyway, it is in 7th place in the ranking of the most common elements in nature and 5th in the list of the most common metals. It is impossible to find pure sodium in nature, since it is chemically active, but in the form of sulfate, carbonate, nitrate and chloride it is contained in huge quantities.
Biological role
So, all the most basic on the topic "Is sodium a metal or non-metal?" it was said. Finally, a few words about the biological role of this substance.
Sodium is an integral part of any living organism. Human is no exception. Here are his roles:
- Supports osmotic pressure.
- It transports carbon dioxide.
- Normalizes water balance.
- Promotes the transport of glucose, amino acids, anions across cell membranes.
- By its exchange with potassium ions it affects the formation of the action potential.
- Positive effect on protein metabolism.
- It takes part in the hydration process.
Sodium is part of almost all foods. But its main sources are salt and baking soda. Improves the absorption of this substance vitamin D.
Sodium deficiency does not occur, but problems associated with the use of insufficient amounts can occur during fasting. This is fraught with weight loss, vomiting, impaired assimilation of monosaccharides, the formation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract. In especially severe cases, neuralgia and convulsions occur. Therefore, it is better not to subject your body to severe starvation.