Sodium+2



Element Name: Sodium

Element abbreviation: Na

Chemical characteristics:
 * 1) Atomic Number:11
 * 2) Atomic Weight:22.98976928
 * 3) Melting Point:97.72º C
 * 4) Boiling Point: 883º C
 * 5) Isotopes: 23

Physical characteristics:
 * 1) Color is a silvery white
 * 2) A good conductor of heat
 * 3) Not very hard

Where the element is found in nature: In the ocean and in salt lakes

How the element recovered and purified: Sodium is found in compounds and it has to be extracted out of the compound.

How do we use the element: We consume sodium and then our cells use it for active transport. Then it goes to the sodium phosphorus pump. This gives our cells energy in order for the cells to pass through the membrane.

What products are made from this element?
 * Baking soda
 * Baking powder
 * Salt
 * Road salt
 * Salt lick

How are these products used?
 * Baking
 * For the road not to have ice on it

Who uses these products?
 * Humans
 * Animals

Are there any environmental concerns due to this use? There are no environmental concerns due to sodium

How are wast products disposed of? There is no special way that they have to get rid of sodium

Is the element important to the nutrition for human health? Yes

What are the nutritional requirements? The American Heart Association (AHA) says that you should not consume more than 2300 mg or one teaspoon of salt

What are the side effects or either consuming to much or not enough? If you have too much sodium it can lead to heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, it also may lead to stomach cancer

Citation:
 * Bentor, Yinon. Chemical Element.com - Sodium. Nov. 20, 2009 .
 * "Sodium." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 26 Oct 2009, 20:58 UTC. 20 Nov 2009 .
 * "How Much Sodium Should You Have In Your Diet." Authority Directory. Google, 3 May 2008. Web. 20 Nov. 2009.