Making Sodium Metal

I have dedicated a page on my website to further explain this reaction:
http://www.grassrootsdiy.com/sodium.htm

Watch this video to see my improved process for making sodium: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faorfmRkCv0&feature=response_watch

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This is one way sodium metal can be synthesized using NaOH and Mg. Mg, being a more reactive chemical than sodium at high temperature with oxygen, breaks down the NaOH, leaving ingots of elemental sodium within the ash.

2Mg + 2NaOH = 2MgO + 2Na + H2

Thanks to NurdRage for the equation.
http://www.youtube.com/NurdRage

Category:

Science & Technology

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[nickroselund]

magnesium metal or magnesium the vitamen supplament? i looked at your web site but it did not say. in your video the powder looks white thats why i'm asking.

[Nighthawkinlight]

@nickroselund Magnesium metal, check the video description for the chemical formula.

[nickroselund]

can you use magnesium carbonate?

[Nighthawkinlight]

@nickroselund No.

[DeAtHWiSh441]

wouldnt the sodium be highly contaminated with magnesium powder?

[Nighthawkinlight]

@DeAtHWiSh441 Yes, there will be some magnesium contamination. How much there is is dependent on many different variables however. I have made sodium with this process that has both been obviously contaminated, as well as some that according to it's physical characteristics and reactivity was very near pure.

[flirtybirdy69]

i like how you do it on a wooden picnic table next to the torch.

[Nighthawkinlight]

@IkickPUPPIES4fun There's not much use for it besides entertainment.

[nickroselund]

thanks :)

[vishva8kumara]

@Nighthawkinlight

Sodium can give a gold or yellow color to fireworks

[MrCant50]

where you get the magnesium powder at?

[RhinoAts51]

@IkickPUPPIES4fun Science, experiments, etc. Basically can be summed up as entertainment, but if you're dabbling in chemistry you probably like fire and different ways to cause it. I'm sure you can combine sodium metal with other things you've created to make different reactions. Chemistry as a hobby though will probably cause more then one uncontrolled fire your insurance wont cover though.