What is the chemical symbol for sodium?
VerifiedAnswer: Na
Explanation:
The chemical symbol for sodium is Na, which comes from its Latin name "natrium." This might seem confusing at first since the symbol doesn't match the English name, but many chemical symbols are derived from their historical or Latin names rather than their modern English names.
Sodium is a highly reactive metal that belongs to Group 1 of the periodic table, also known as the alkali metals. It has an atomic number of 11, meaning it has 11 protons in its nucleus. In its pure form, sodium is a soft, silvery-white metal that can be cut with a knife, but you'll rarely see it in this form because it reacts very quickly with air and water.
You encounter sodium compounds every day, most commonly as sodium chloride (NaCl), which is table salt. Other important sodium compounds include sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃), commonly known as baking soda, and sodium hydroxide (NaOH), which is used in soap making and various industrial processes.
Remember that chemical symbols are standardized worldwide, so whether you're studying chemistry in India, America, or anywhere else, sodium will always be represented as Na. This universal system helps scientists communicate clearly across different languages and countries.
