Sodium: A Symbol On The Periodic Table Of Na

406 Words2 Pages
Lucas 1
Jennifer Lucas
Professor Mealey
CHEM 1305-008
07 August 2017
Sodium (Na) Sodium has an atomic number of 11 and an atomic mass of about 23. It has a symbol on the periodic table of Na. It is a silvery-white metal found under the alkaline metals. Sodium is the “sixth most common element on earth and makes up about 2.6% of earth’s crust,” (RSC 1). It is usually found in compounds, including salt, sodium chloride (NaCl) or more commonly known as table salt. It is also used in baking soda, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Sodium is used to “de-ice roads in the winter and is used as a feedstock for the chemical industry,” (RSC 1). The most common use of sodium is adding it to food. It can be found on the back of food labels, measured in milligrams.