Sodium (Na)

Sodium in the periodic table

Sodium is a chemical element with symbol Na (from Greek Νatrium) and atomic number 11.

Physical properties


 * Sodium at standard temperature and pressure is a soft silvery metal that oxidizes to grayish white unless immersed in oil or inert gas.
 * Low Density
 * Can be easily cut with a knife
 * Good conductor of electricity and heat.

Chemical Properties


 * Less reactive than potassium and more reactive than lithium
 * It reacts exothermically with water. The reaction produces caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) and flammable hydrogen gas.
 * When burned in air, it forms primarily sodium peroxide with some sodium oxide.

Sodium in our body

Sodium has a lot of functions in our body, the most important are:
 * To have a proper muscle contraction and nerve impulse conduction
 * To retain liquids in the body, avoiding deshydratation.
 * It is an important component of the bones.
 * It regulates arterial presion.

Normal ranges of sodium in the body


 * The normal range for blood sodium levels is 135 to 145 mEq/L.

Effects to the body if the elemnt is present in low quantities or absent


 * Intoxication with water.
 * Problems in the heart, liver and kidneys.
 * Desorientation.
 * Confusion or coma.

Effects to the body if the elemnt is present in excess


 * Dizziness
 * Extreme sudoration
 * Fever
 * Vomits and diahrea.

Food naturally rich in sodium


 * Lacteal products
 * Meat
 * Salt
 * Chard
 * Apium

Bibliography


 * 65.68.87.xxx. (2001). Sodium. September, 11, de Wikipedia EN Sitio web: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium
 * webconsultas. (2016). Sodio. September, 11, de webconsultas Sitio web: http://www.webconsultas.com/dieta-y-nutricion/dieta-equilibrada/micronutrientes/minerales/sodio-1831
 * Chemocare. (2016). Hiponatremia (nivel bajo de sodio) . September, 11, de Chemocare. Sitio web: http://chemocare.com/es/chemotherapy/side-effects/Hiponatremia.aspx