Sodium is a soft, silver-white, highly reactive metal. Sodium and Chlorine both highly toxic apart are together called common table salt. Sodium does not occur in nature in its pure state, but must be prepared from other compounds. Sodium can be easily cut with a knife and is a good conductor of electricity and heat. Pure Sodium is only useful in the production of other chemicals.
Rure elemental Sodium is dangerous because it generates flammable hydrogen and caustic sodium hydroxide on contact with water. Powdered sodium may spontaneously explode in the presence of an oxidizer.
Sodium has a melting temperature of 97.83C (208F).
