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Sodium (Na)
Element with atomic number 11, category: Alkali metal, a solid at room temperature.
Element 11 of 118
Alkali metal
Sodium
Group 1, Period 3
Common Uses
Table salt, street lamps
Electron Diagram
About Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11, meaning every atom has 11 protons in its nucleus. It is classed as Alkali metal and is a solid at room temperature. Its atomic mass is about 22.990 atomic mass units (u).
On the periodic table, Sodium sits in group 1, period 3, which determines how many electron shells it has and how it tends to react with other elements.
Uses of Sodium
In daily life and industry, Sodium is used for Table salt, street lamps. These uses are closely tied to the typical properties of elements in the Alkali metal category.
Electron Structure of Sodium
Using a simplified electron shell model (at most 2 electrons in the first shell, 8 in the second, 18 in the third, and so on), Sodium has 3 electron shells, with an approximate arrangement of 2, 8, 1 electrons from the innermost shell to the outermost. This is a simplified learning model, not the full electron configuration that accounts for the s, p, d and f subshells.
Explore Other Elements
Want to see another element or try the element symbol quiz? Go back to the Interactive Periodic Table to explore all 118 chemical elements.