Sodium, a highly reactive element, is not available in free state. It is known to react violently with air. It is an alkali group of metals and profusely found in Earth and it is also found in minerals such as cryolite, zeolite and amphibole. Around 2.6 percent of the Earth’s crust is made up of sodium. It is also found by electrolysis of dry fused sodium chloride.
Due to its highly reactive property, it has very few uses. Metallic sodium is used for cleaning molten metals. Titanium metals require sodium for manufacturing process. Sodium can separate potassium and zirconium from their respective compounds. Sodium and its alloy with potassium are considered to be agents for heat transferring. It is also used in making artificial rubber. It is used to prepare sodium peroxide, sodamide and sodium hydride.
The use of sodium is limited, but its compounds have large uses. It is exceptionally beneficial in industries such as petroleum, chemicals, soaps, textiles and paper. Sodium salts are helpful in the composition of soap. One of its compound sodium chloride has many uses. In common language, sodium chloride is known as salt. It adds taste to the foods. It is used as preservative in milk products, meat and other foodstuffs. It prevents microorganism and keeps food edible for longer time. Iodized salt is good for body and help in the secretion of thyroid hormones that regulate the metabolic rate. It is also used in medicines and injections. Baking soda, blend of sodium and bicarbonate are used for cooking purpose. Washing soda or sodium carbonate, caustic soda or sodium hydroxide, and borax and sodium thiosulfate are some of the compounds of sodium.
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