Sodium Oxide (Na2O)

What is Sodium Oxide?

Sodium oxide is an alkali metal oxide with the chemical formula Na₂O.

It is the anhydride form of sodium hydroxide. When sodium burns in the air it burns with a bright, white light. When it burns in oxygen it burns even more brightly. It forms a white powder called sodium oxide. Within the earth’s crust, sodium ions often combine with the oxygen in soil and rocks to form sodium oxide (Na₂O), one of the most common forms of sodium.

Other names – Disodium oxide, Disodium monoxide

Table of Content

• Structure of sodium oxide Molecules
• Chemical date of Sodium oxide-Na₂O
• Physical Properties of Sodium Oxide
• Chemical Properties of Sodium Oxide
• Uses of Sodium Oxide
• FAQs

Structure of  Sodium oxide-Na₂O Molecules

Sodium oxide molecules are made up of two sodium cations and one oxygen anion. Thus, Na2O molecules feature two sodium-oxygen ionic bonds. The structure of sodium oxide molecules is illustrated below.

Chemical date of Sodium oxide-Na₂O

Physical Properties of Sodium Oxide – Na₂O

Chemical Properties of Sodium Oxide – Na₂O

• • Sodium oxide reacts with carbon dioxide to form sodium carbonate. The chemical equation is given below.

2Na₂O + 3CO₂ → 2Na₂CO₃

• • Sodium oxide reacts with some acids (such as hydrochloric acid) to form sodium chloride and water. The chemical equation for this reaction is given below.

Na2O + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H2O

Uses of Sodium Oxide – Na₂O

• It is an active flux and used to create glazes which give exciting colour responses. The more notable responses are blue from copper oxide and purple from cobalt and manganese oxides.
• Used in bodies except where it has been introduced primarily as a deflocculant for casting slips.
• Sodium oxide is also used in the manufacture of commercial glasses based on the oxides of silicon and certain additives.

To learn more about sodium oxide and other important chemical compounds containing sodium (such as sodium bicarbonate), download BYJU’S – The Learning App.