What Is the Alkaline Metal in Table Salt?

Table salt is a mixture of chemicals sold in boxes in grocery stores. Although it often contains a flow-control agent and an iodizing additive, the name of the product comes from the chief ingredient, ordinary salt, sodium chloride---chemical formula NaCl.

Composition

Its formula indicates salt is made up of only two elements. "Cl" stands for chlorine, a poisonous, green gas called a halogen. "Na" stands for the alkaline metal sodium, which reacts violently with ordinary water.

Sodium as Metal

Sodium, as with all other metals, readily donates electrons to electron receptors. This makes sense since metals are known to conduct electricity, and electricity is simply a flow of electrons. So, sodium is a good electrical conductor. Sodium is a relatively good heat conductor, also.

Sodium is Alkaline

Neutral water plus a salt are the products of an acid-base (acid-alkali) reaction. Table salt can be made by the reaction

NaOH + HCl --> NaCl + HOH (water)

Alkaline substances have a pH above 7.0, and sodium hydroxide, NaOH, is no exception.

Important and Interesting Properties

Sodium is one of the most widespread of elements. It is essential to life and is an extremely important electrolyte in body processes. Sodium is present in relative abundance in the stars, strongly emitting two frequencies of yellow light, called the sodium D-lines.

Everyday Use and Advisory

Table salt enhances the flavor of many foods and has been used for that purpose for generations. Too much sodium, however, interferes with normal body processes, and can even lead to many illnesses, including hypertension---called by the Institute of Medicine a "neglected disease."

References

• Web Elements: Sodium
• The Internet Encyclopedia of Science: D lines (of sodium)

Resources

• Medscape Today: IOM Report Calls Hypertension a "Neglected Disease"