Is sodium a metal or nonmetal?

Within sodium's metallic structure, the cations are close to one another in a geometric layout that is symmetrical. While the ions hold their positions in the lattice, their vibration is constant. Heating the metal causes those ions to 'collide with' other ions, making them vibrate as well. read more

Pure sodium is a soft, silvery metal that is incredibly reactive with both air and water. It is so highly reactive that pure sodium cannot exist on its own in nature. Nonetheless, there are many sodium compounds that are common in nature, such as sodium chloride, also known as table salt. read more

Sodium is a metal. By definition, metals are elements that lose electrons easily, that are lustrous (reflective), malleable (can be molded into other shapes) and are good conductors of heat and electricity. read more

Heating the metal causes those ions to 'collide with' other ions, making them vibrate as well. Passing the energy along in this way is how heat is transferred from one end to another very quickly. Hence, sodium is a good thermal conductor. Therefore, by definition, sodium is a metal. read more