Liquid Sodium: Room Temp & High Pressure

In summary, liquid sodium can exist at room temperature at extremely high pressures due to a transition to a close-packed structure with a higher density. This is different from most metals, which exhibit negative melting at high pressures. A recent paper discusses this phenomenon in more detail.
  • #1
RJC
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Liquid sodium can exist at room temperature at EXTREMELY high pressures. Why?
 
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  • #2
Any liquid can exist at any temperature provided the pressure is high enough (except of course at temperatures where the substance in question does not have a liquid state such a dry ice).

Claude.
 
  • #3
RJC said:
Liquid sodium can exist at room temperature at EXTREMELY high pressures. Why?
That must be because there is a liquid phase with higher density.

Normally, sodium crystallizes in the body-centered cubic (bcc) structure, which is not close packed. At high pressures there is probably a transition to cubic or hexagonally close packed. This structure may have a melting point below room temperature.
 
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  • #4
Pieter Kuiper said:
That must be because there is a liquid phase with higher density.

Normally, sodium crystallizes in the body-centered cubic (bcc) structure, which is not close packed. At high pressures there is probably a transition to cubic or hexagonally close packed. This structure may have a melting point below room temperature.
This is exactly right, but it appears that there's more to it than just that. Most metals that lack a close-packed structure exhibit some degree of negative melting. In sodium, however, this is unusually strong.

There's a very recent paper on this that I've yet to read : http://scitation.aip.org/getabs/servlet/GetabsServlet?prog=normal&id=PRLTAO000094000018185502000001&idtype=cvips&gifs=yes [Broken]

http://physics.about.com/od/thermodynamics/a/roomtempNaLiqui.htm [Broken]
 

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What is liquid sodium?

Liquid sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a highly reactive metal that is typically found in its solid form at room temperature, but can also exist as a liquid under certain conditions.

What is the melting point of liquid sodium?

The melting point of liquid sodium is 97.80 °C (208.04 °F) at standard atmospheric pressure. However, this can vary depending on the pressure and purity of the sodium.

What happens to liquid sodium under high pressure?

Under high pressure, liquid sodium can become denser and its melting point can increase. It can also undergo a phase change and become a solid at even higher pressures.

What are the properties of liquid sodium?

Liquid sodium is a silvery-white metal that is highly reactive with water and air. It has a low viscosity, high thermal conductivity, and is a good electrical conductor. It is also corrosive and can ignite in air.

How is liquid sodium used in industry?

Liquid sodium is commonly used in industrial processes such as the production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. It is also used as a coolant in nuclear reactors and as an alloying agent in the production of other metals.

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