i want to make pure sodium and i read the faq at: http://www.totse.com/en/bad_ideas/ka_fucking_boom/162966.html
the only hard part is how do you melt table salt? I calculated the melting point at 1400 degrees any suggestions appreciated
thanks

That FAQ is assuming that you have the equipment to be conducting the experiment in a safe place. The decomposition of large amounts of sodium chloride in your kitchen isn't a very good idea. Hense, the bad ideas category.

Pure sodium is not very exiting. I bought some from my chemical supply store and it is dissapointing. It sells for like $5 an ounce and is not worth your money unless you are a science teacher or something. Potassium is a little better but a lot more expensive. That costs around $25 an ounce. All the sodium does is fizzle a little and produce a little bit of fire if you put it in water. Also if you plan on trying to melt the sodium chloride down it releases chlorine gas so be carefull.

[This message has been edited by the creator (edited 05-27-2002).]

Isn't this in the wrong forum?

Yeah... Lab tips would be more appropriate.

Pure Lithium in its metalic form now theres fun.....

you said that potassium was better, i should be able to do it the same way with KCl. But the real question is how do you get it hot enough? It needs to be aroun 1500 degrees. I can make hydrogen easy how hot does that burn?
thanks.

sodium is way more reactive to water than lithium

Yeah lithium sucks balls, sodium is good for making methoxides, birch reductions etc. pottasium and higher are where it's at for fun stuff involving water.

Yes KCl will work but you do have a 100% duty arc welder rated for 300 amps? no you don't? Didn't think so.

You need a serious propane burner and an arc welder to electrolyse salts like this. Oh and adding CaCl to the salt will lower it's melting point a bit.



[This message has been edited by tryptamine (edited 05-30-2002).]