Sodium is in column 1A of the periodic table, the alkali metals. All elements in this "family" have similar properties. They are active metals and readily form +1 charged ions by losing the single s-electron. The ions are commonly found in salts, such as NaCl (sodium chloride) and Na₂S (sodium sulfide).

Other elements in this family include:

H - hydrogen
Li - lithium
K - potassium
Rb - rubidium
Cs - cesium
Fr - francium

Back to Quiz.