Position, Properties and Uses of Some Metals

  • Home
  • Position, Properties and Uses of Some Metals
Shape Image One

Position, Properties and Uses of Some Metals

advanced divider

Sodium (Na)

Position:

  • Sodium (Na) is a chemical element and an alkali metal.
  • It is located in Group 1 (Alkali metals) of the periodic table.
  • Sodium has an atomic number of 11 and an atomic mass of 22.99 amu.

Properties:

  • Soft and silvery-white metal with a low density.
    It has a low melting point of 97.8°C (208°F) and a boiling point of 882.9°C (1621°F).
  • Sodium is highly reactive and easily oxidizes in air, requiring storage in oil or an inert atmosphere.
  • It has a single valence electron, making it prone to losing that electron to form a +1 cation.
  • Sodium has a high electrical and thermal conductivity.
  • It reacts vigorously with water, releasing hydrogen gas and forming sodium hydroxide.

Uses:

  • Sodium plays a crucial role in various industrial processes, including the production of chemicals like sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate.
  • It is a key component in the manufacturing of soaps, detergents, and other cleaning products.
  • Sodium compounds are used in the production of glass, ceramics, and paper.
  • Sodium vapor lamps are used in streetlights and other applications for their efficient and bright yellow-orange light emission.

Magnesium(Mg)

Position:

  • Magnesium is located in Group 2 (also known as the alkaline earth metals) of the periodic table.
  • It has an atomic number of 12 and an atomic mass of 24.31 amu.

Properties:

  • Lightweight: Magnesium is a lightweight metal, with a density of 1.74 g/cm³, making it one of the lightest structural metals.
  • Strong and durable: Magnesium is strong and durable, with a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an attractive material for use in structural applications.
  • Good conductor: Magnesium is a good conductor of heat and electricity.
  • Highly reactive: Magnesium is highly reactive and will react with many acids and nonmetals, such as oxygen and chlorine, to form compounds.

Uses:

  • Magnesium is used in the production of aluminium alloys, which are lightweight and strong and are used in a variety of applications such as aircraft and automobile manufacturing.
  • It is also used in the production of magnesium alloys.
  • Magnesium is also used in flares, fireworks.

Calcium (Ca)

Position:

  • Calcium is located in Group 2, Period 4 of the periodic table.

  • It is an alkaline earth metal and is placed beneath magnesium and above strontium.

Properties:

  • Calcium has a melting point of 842°C and a boiling point of 1,484°C.

  • It is a soft, ductile metal that can be easily cut with a knife.

  • It is highly reactive and forms a protective oxide layer when exposed to air.

Uses:

Some of the common uses of calcium include:

  • Building and Construction: Calcium is widely used in the construction industry as a key ingredient in cement, concrete, and plaster.
  • Agriculture: Calcium is an essential nutrient for plant growth and is often used as a fertiliser to improve soil quality.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Calcium is used in the manufacturing of various pharmaceuticals such as antacids, laxatives, and calcium supplements.
  • Water Treatment: Calcium is used in water treatment plants to remove impurities and improve the quality of water.

Quiz

advanced divider