October 31 - November 3, 2004
Element of the Day
Tuesday, October 5

Sodium (Na)

Name Origin: This element's name is derived from the English word "soda". It exists as a silvery-white metallic solid. The elemental symbol "Na" comes from the Latin word "natrium".

Discovered by: Sir Humphry Davy, England, 1807

Uses: Used in the preparation of titanium metal from TiCl4. Sodium compounds include table salt (NaCl), soda ash (sodium carbonate), and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate). Sodium vapor is used in lamps for street lighting.

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