Section 1: Sodium And Magnesium In Chemistry

SECTION 1 : SODIUM AND MAGNESIUM IN CHEMISTRY SODIUM Sodium is an alkaline element with the lowest reducing power, with the main source being halite (generally in the form of NaCl). Sodium can be made using the Downs process, namely electrolysis of melted NaCl. The salt water containing NaCl is evaporated until dry, then the solids formed are crushed and then melted. Meanwhile, to reduce heating costs, NaCl (melting point 801 °C) is mixed with 1½ parts CaCl2 to reduce the melting temperature to 580 °C. Na used to be widely used to make TEL (Tetra Ethyl Lead), namely to increase the octane number of fuel, but this is no longer the case because it contains toxins that are dangerous for the environment. Na is also used to fill lighting on roads and in vehicles. This is because its yellow emission is able to penetrate fog and can also be used as a cooling fluid in atomic reactors.       NaCl, used as table salt, raw material for making chlorine and other sodium compounds. It can also be used in the dairy industry, preserving fish and meat, processing leather, and for melting snow. NaOH, produced from electrolysis of NaCl. NaOH is a strong base that is widely used in the detergent industry, raw material for soap, paper, rayon fiber, and separating sulfur from petroleum. NaHCO3 (baking soda), which will decompose by heat to produce CO2 gas which causes the cake to expand and extinguishes the fire. NaCO3 , used for making glass, removing water hardness, as a raw material for sodium silicate in making paper and detergents. Na-glutamate, used as food flavoring. Na-benzoate, used as a food preservative in cans. MAGNESIUM Magnesium is an element that is very abundant on the earth's surface, but it is not easy to produce it in elemental form. The main commercial source of magnesium is seawater (0.13% Mg content), and can be found in dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) and carnallite (KCl.MgCl2 .6H2O). Magnesium can be obtained through the Downs process:   Magnesium is precipitated as magnesium hydroxide by add Ca(OH)2 to seawater. Add hydrochloric acid to get the chloride, which is thenmagnesium chloride crystals (MgCl.6H2O) were obtained.   Electrolysis of molten magnesium crystals by first adding partially hydrolyzed magnesium chloride to the mixture of molten sodium and calcium chloride. This is done to avoid the formation of MgO when MgCl.6H2 O crystals are heated. Magnesium will form at the cathode. Reaction: Mg2+ + Ca(OH)2 (s) Mg(OH)2 (s) + Ca2+ Mg(OH)2 (s) + 2 H+ + Cl– Cathode : Mg2+ + 2 e– Anode : 2 Cl– MgCl.6 H2 O Mg Cl2 (g) + 2e– The uses of magnesium include:        Preventing corrosion of iron pipes in the ground and walls of ships. Mg(OH)2 , can be used as an ulcer medicine because it can neutralize excess stomach acid (HCl) and also as an ingredient in toothpaste. MgSO4 , known as English salt, can be used as a laxative (intestinal lactative). A mixture of magnesium (10%) and aluminum (90%) or what is often called magnalium can be used as a construction material for airplanes because this combination is strong and light, missiles and truck bodies. Magnesium is used to make fireworks and lighting for photography (flash). MgO, can be used as heat/fire resistant bricks to line kilns and cement kilns. A mixture of 0.5% Mg, 95% Al, 4% Cu, and 0.5% Mn or what is known as duralumin is used for car construction.