Sodium is a soft, reactive alkali metal that is widespread in salts but never found free in nature.
Atomic number
11
Category
Alkali metal
Period
3
Group
1
State
Solid
Fun facts about Sodium
Metallic sodium reacts vigorously with water.
Sodium ions help transmit nerve signals and regulate body fluids.
A sodium flame emits a strong yellow light.
Common uses of Sodium
Chemical synthesis
Sodium-vapour lighting
Heat-transfer coolant in some reactors
Where Sodium sits in the periodic table
Sodium is classified as a alkali metal in period 3 and group 1 of the periodic table. Under the conditions represented in this reference, its state is solid.
Quick chemistry revision
For quick revision, pair the symbol Na with atomic number 11 and the listed atomic mass 22.990. The summary, facts, and uses above keep those element properties together in one reference.