Sodium

Sodium
Properties
Atomic symbol	Na
Atomic number	11
Classification	Alkali metal
Atomic mass	22.99 amu
Other Information
Date of discovery	1807
Name of discoverer	Davy, Sir Humphrey
Name origin	From the Latin Natrium
Uses	important biological role, and used in numerous industrial processes
Obtained from	halite, trona

Sodium is an elementin the Alkali metals class of the periodic table. It is so chemically active that it is never found free (in elemental form) in nature. In its elemental form, it reacts violently with water, forming sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

Its existence as salt (sodium chloride), "soda ash" or "mineral alkali" (sodium carbonate), lye or "caustic soda" (sodium hydroxide), etc., had long been known, but it was not isolated as an element until 1807, by Sir Humphrey Davy.