Elemental Facts & Atomic Structure:

The Atomic number of the element Sodium is 11. This means that there are 11 protons and neutrons in it's nucleus, and 11 electrons distributed specially on the energy levels. There are two electrons on the first level, eight on the second, and one on the third. Having only one electron on the last energy level makes it very reactive. This last electron is called a valence electron.
By the way Sodium's atomic weight is about 23. Also, Sodium's melting point is 97.8 degrees Celsius. Another important thing about Sodium is it's boiling point is 552.9 degrees Celsius.
The element sodium is a metal, and to be specific an alkali metal. On the periodic table of elements it is in group 1, and period 3. This element also has special colors and shapes. It is silvery, and is also a cubic crystal structure. By the way you can click on the following elements to learn about them. Fluorine, Lead, Strontium, Helium, or Palladium.

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History & Uses:

The Element Sodium was discovered in the year of 1807. That was about 200 years ago! In this year Sodium was discovered by an English scientist by the name of Sir Humphrey Davy. He and many other scientists named it natrium, which means sodium in Latin.
Today it is a very commonly used compound. Even though it is used in many things, the items it is used in are very well known. Today it is used as many different kinds of salts, and sometimes even in medicine, and agriculture.

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Common Sodium Compounds:

There are a very big amount of compounds that have the element Sodium involved in them. Here are a bunch of the common compounds that are partly formed by Sodium.
NaCl-Salt
NaCO3-Baking soda
NaOH-Chile saltpeter
Na2B4O2-Borax
Na2CO3-Soda ash
NaOH-Caustic soda
Na2S2O3-Sodium Thiosulfate

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Interesting Facts:

Overall, Sodium is a very, very interesting element. Probably, the most interesting fact about it is that it is used in edible foods, but is the most reactive of the alkali group of metals, and the fourth most abundant element out of them all. It is too reactive of a metal element to be found in nature. Also, it comprises about 2.6% of the earth's crust.
Sodium is a soft, bright, silvery metal, that can float on water. The strange thing is it also ignites with water, but only in air temperature below 115 degrees Celsius.

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Potential Health Effects:

Inhalation: Causes irritation to the respiratory system. Also, causes sore throat, coughing, dizziness, and fainting.
Ingestion: Highly toxic, and causes nausea, vomiting, headache, restlessness, and diarrhea.
Skin Contact: irritation, redness, and pain
Eye Contact: Irritation, redness, pain, and blurred vision

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Glossary:

Atomic Number: Number of Protons and Neutrons in the atom's nucleus
Proton: A stable, positively charged subatomic particle in the baryon family having a mass 1,836 times that of the electron.
Neutron: An electrically neutral subatomic particle in the baryon family, having a mass 1,839 times that of the electron
Electron: A stable negatively charged subatomic particle that circles the nucleus
Nucleus: The center part of an atom containing both the protons and neutrons inside of it
Energy Levels: rings outside of the nucleus where the electrons are placed in a special order. There can be only two electrons on the first, and eight on the second, and more continuing on each next one.
Valence Electron: The number of electrons on the atom's last energy level. Atoms with only one are very reactive.
Atomic Weight: How much both the protons and neutrons weigh together in the nucleus.
Melting Point: Point at which the element can melt.
Boiling Point: Point at which the element boils.
Alkali Metal: Type of metal on the periodic table, where there is only one valence electron.

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Bibliography:

Science Textbook: Todd, Robert W., ed. Physical Science. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and Winston. 2001.
Periodic Table
Interactive Periodic Table
Health Effects of Sodium
Dictionary.Com

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