Tag: Elemental sodium

The chemical symbol for sodium is 'Na', a fact dating back to the Latin name 'natrium'. Understanding the difference between Na and sodium is key in chemistry, as it distinguishes the elemental metal from its name and its charged ionic state, which have vastly different properties.

Pure sodium metal is a highly reactive, soft metal that reacts violently and explosively with water, a stark contrast to the stable compound we know as table salt. This is one of many crucial distinctions when considering if sodium is better than sodium chloride for human consumption.