SODIUM CHLORIDE

Sodium chloride (NaCl) is an inorganic chemical compound commonly referred to as an edible form of table salt. It is an ionic compound. It has a substantial chemical and industrial role. It is a common salt, found in seawater in a huge amounts. It is a salt of a halogen and an alkali metal. It is very freely soluble in water. The salt solution of (NaCl)  is called brine. It is an inorganic chloride and a metal halide.

Physical Properties

Its appearance is a white and crystalline powder. It is a face-centered cubic structure. It is soluble in ethanol and water.  On decomposing, it emits toxic fumes of hydrochloric acid. It has a salty taste. It is stable in storage conditions. It has a 1:1 ratio of chloride and sodium ions. It has neither acidic nor basic properties.

Uses of  Sodium Chloride

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• It is used as an electrolyte due to the sodium ion.
• It serves in the preservation of food.
• It is used in soda ash industry.
• It is utilized in the manufacturing of hydrochloric acid.
• It is utilized in plastic making and pesticides.
• It is used in personal and pet care products.
• It works in metal processing and dyeing.
• It is used in making leather treatments.

Preparation

Strong base sodium hydroxide and the strong acid hydrochloric acid, when neutralized, produce it. It is also obtained by mining the rock salt. It is so easily obtained by mineralizing halite.

 Chemical Properties  of Sodium Chloride

• It reacts with sulphuric acid and other acids too.
• Its vapour pressure is 1mm/Hg.
• Its heat of fusion is 26.02j/mol.
• It is soluble in water etc.
• Sodium Chloride solutions are corrosive to bases.
• It is considered as safe as the FDA states that it can be used directly.
• Its surface tension is 110 mN/m.