Sodium

Question 1

Sodium - Physical Properties

Question 2

Chemical properties of Sodium

Answer 2

1. Reaction with air:
   Sodium tarnishes easily when exposed to air because it is readily oxidized by atmospheric oxygen to form sodium oxide.
   Hence, sodium is always stored under paraffin oil or naphtha.
   When sodium is heated in air it burns with a golden yellow flame to form sodium peroxide.

Question 3

Chemical properties of Sodium

Answer 3

2. Reaction with water
   Sodium reacts vigorously with cold water releasing a lot of heat.
3. Reaction with acids
   Sodium reacts explosively with dilute acids to form hydrogen and a salt.

Question 4

Sodium Oxide (Na2O)

Answer 4

1. It is prepared by heating sodium peroxide with excess sodium
2. It is a colours solid with strong basic properties
3. Reacts vigorously with water to for a hydroxide solution.

Question 5

Sodium Peroxide (Na2O2)

Answer 5

1. Gotten by heating sodium in an excess of dry air.
2. It is place yellow solid which.Strong oxidizing agent used in the production of genes.
3. Reacts with hydrogen peroxide with ice-cold water and so can be used as a bleaching agent
4. Used as air purifiers in submarines

Question 6

Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)

Answer 6

1. Manufactured industrially by the electrolysis of brine. It is deliquescent and melts at about 320°C without decomposing.
2. It is a white, crystalline solid.
3. Commonly called Caustic soda
4. It is a typical base, used for neutralising all acids.
5. Used in making soap, rayon and paper
6. Used in the refining of petroleum
7. Used in the purification of bauxite

Question 7

Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

Answer 7

1. Known simply as common salt and found in sea water.
2. Sodium Chloride forms white anhydrous crystals which melts at 801°C and boils at 1420°C.
3. Pure NaCl is not deliquescent but impure NaCl may be, due to the presence of magnesium chloride.
4. It is usually prepared by neutralising sodium hydroxide with dilute hydrochloric acid.

Question 8

Sodium Tetraoxosulphate(VI)
(Na2SO4)

Answer 8

1. In it’s anhydrous form it is known as salt-cake, while as a decahydrate, it is known as Glauber’s salt.
2. It is efflorescent in its decahydrate form.
3. Used a a purgative and in the manufacture of wood pulp, glass and detergents.

Question 9

Sodium Trioxonitrate(V)
NaNO3

Answer 9

1. It is also known as Chile saltpetre.
2. Used as a nitrogenous fertilizers.
3. It is extracted from caliche deposits by dissolving it in hot water and evaporating the solution to formed to recover the Trioxonitrate (V).

Question 10

Sodium Trioxocarbonate(IV)
Na2CO3

Answer 10

1. In the anhydrous state known as soda ash, more often as a decahydrate commonly called Washing Soda
2. It is manufactured industrially by the solvay process.
3. Does not decompose on heating and it reacts with acids to liberate CO2
4. Used extensively in the manufacture of glass.

Question 11

Uses of Sodium

Answer 11

1. Sodium vapour lamps(which give a bright orange yellow light) are used for lighting highways and airports.
2. Liquid sodium is used as a coolant in nuclear reactors.
3. Used in the extraction of Titanium tetrachloride to metal.