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Uses of sodium metal

Answer Text:
Uses of sodium;
1. Is alloyed with lead in the preparation tetraethyl (IV) lead, which is added to petrol as an anti-knock.
2. Provides the glow in sodium vapours lamps, for street lighting (orangeyellow street lights).
3. Is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity with low melting point hence used;
-In nuclear reactors to conduct away heat.
-Modern aeroplane engines.
4. Manufacture of sodium peroxide, and sodium cyanide used in the extraction of silver and gold.
Question;
- Although electrolysis is an expensive way of obtaining metals, it must be used for some metals.
Explain.
Solution;
- Group 1 and 2 metals together with Al are themselves such powerful reducing agents that their oxides cannot be reduced by chemical reducing agents.