It occurs as a soft, reactive metal with a very low melting point, with a valence of 1, an electronegativity state of 0.9 and an oxidation state of +1, and with a configuration 3s1 Electrons.
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The electron configuration of sodium
To find out the Electron configuration of sodium, which has 11 electrons, just follow its diagonals, for example:
It starts with 1s2, but since there is nothing following the diagonals, we then search for the next diagonal, which in this case will be 2s2, in addition to having no diagonals, we search for a following diagonal, thus obtaining 2p6 , following the diagonal gets the 3s2.
During these processes, you always need to add the exponents, which will indicate the number of electrons. In this case, when adding the exponents, the result will be 12, that is, there is one more number, because it must give 11 to be correct, so it must be corrected so that he stays in 3s1.
In conclusion, sodium has 11 electrons and its Electron configuration is written as follows: 1s22s22p63s1
Distribute each electron as follows:
- 2 electrons for the first level, i.e. both will be in the s sublevel, inside the orbital.
- 8 electrons in the second shell, of which 2 will be in the s sublevel and 6 in the p sublevel, and the latter will have 2 electrons in its 3 orbitals.
This chemical element reacts with water to create hydrogen and sodium hydroxide. When metallic sodium comes into contact with air, it loses its silver color and becomes dull gray. At the same time, it never reacts with nitrogen, even in the face of high temperatures.
It was discovered by Humphry Davy in 1807, who isolated it using caustic soda electrolysis. This chemist also discovered other elements such as calcium, strontium, barium, potassium, magnesium and boron. It is found in salt lakes and in the sea in the form of sodium chloride, represented by the letters: NaCl.
Sodium isotopes.
Sodium has thirteen isotopes, the only stable one being Na-23. It also has two cosmogenic radioactive isotopes, Na-24 and Na-22, which have half-lives of about 2,605 years.
Characteristics of sodium
- Its symbol is Na.
- Its valence is 1.
- Atomic number: 11.
- It has a first potential of 5.14 eV.
- Atomic mass 22.9898.
- It has a melting point of 97.8 degrees C and a boiling point of 892 degrees C.
- It has an electronegativity of about 0.9.
- It has a covalent radius of 1.54, an atomic radius of 1.9, and an ionic radius of 0.95.
- It combines with oxygen at room temperature.
- It conducts electricity very well.
- It is an excellent conductor of electricity.
- Considered a very active element.
- Reacts violently with water.
- It dissolves in mercury forming an amalgam of sodium.
- It’s silvery, metallic, responsive, and soft.
- It has a lower density than water.
- It has a glossy surface.
- Reacts with acids creating hydrogen gas.
