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Feature
Lab-made ampule with highly purified sodium metal sample weighing approx. 1 gram
Seldom offered attractive sample suitable for element collection
CAS Number 7440-23-5
One of over 80 pure elements offered by Luciteria Science
Description
Tossing chunks of metal into ponds is a bit of miscreant fun that is becoming more and more common if YouTube videos are any indication. The metal sizzles, may even catch fire and will make a very loud boom after a few seconds. Sodium's sole free electron on the valence shell means it is ridiculously active and willing to pair off with just about any other atom that can take its electron unto its own energy shells. What this means is that keeping it in this beautifully lustrous state is going to be a challenge. We accomplish this task by finding two substances that simply refuse to take any of sodium's extra electrons: argon and glass. Shut off from access to any other elements sodium will stay in this mirror-like fashion indefinitely.