Question

What is the atomic number of $Na$?

Answer 1

Atomic number of an element is defined as the number of protons or number of electrons present in the nucleus of an atom. We have to remember that atomic numbers are used to identify the properties of an element.

Complete step by step answer:
- We also remember that the chemical symbol of sodium is $Na$ which is derived from a Greek word natrium.
- As we know that sodium is a silvery white, highly active alkali metal belonging to the group $1$ and the number of protons in sodium is $11$ this means the atomic number of an atom is $11$. The molar mass of sodium is $24$.
Sodium has one stable isotope na-$23$.
- We need to know that sodium does not occur as free metal in the earth crust; it occurs as minerals like Sodalite, feldspars and rock salt.
- The silvery appearance of sodium is lost when it is exposed to air because of the formation of sodium oxide.
- Sodium reacts with ammonia and gives sodium amide while it does not react with nitrogen even at high temperature.
- Sodium actively reacts with water, ice and snow to form sodium hydroxide as a product.

Note: We can discuss about the some of the uses of are follows,
- The structure of alloys, soaps structures are improved by using sodium.
- Sodium is also used in purification of molten metals and in vapour lamps.
- The most important component of sodium is sodium chloride. The chemical formula of sodium chloride is $NaCl$.
- To make glass solid sodium carbonate is important.
- Sodium has a wide range of applications in organic compound synthesis.