Sodium is the sixth most abundant element on Earth, comprising 2.8% of crust. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that conducts heat and electricity easily. Sodium chloride (NaCl) forms 80% of seawater's dissolved constituents
Sodium is highly reactive with air, especially when humidity is high. Liquid sodium can ignite at 125°C, solid sodium burns at 800°C. Sodium reacts with water to form strong base NaOH. Pure sodium absorbs hydrogen at 100°C, forming sodium hydride above 350°C
Sodium has 11 electrons, forming stable ionic compounds with Na+ cation. Sodium is highly reducing with standard reduction potential of −2.71 volts. Sodium compounds are often soluble in water
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Sodium is not the same as salt, but sodium is a component of table salt. Table salt contains 40% sodium and 60% chloride. Sodium is an essential mineral that must be obtained from food
Thermal conductivity varies with temperature and pressure for most materials. Most materials are nearly homogeneous, so k = k(T) applies. Thermal conductivity increases with temperature difference and conductivity