Sodium is a

Options

A. silvery white and very soft metal
B. colourless and hard metal
C. silvery white and very hard metal
D. colourless and very soft metal

Answer

To answer the question "Sodium is a?", we will analyze the properties and classification of sodium based on the information provided.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Group and Period**:
- Sodium is located in Group 1 of the modern periodic table. This group is known for containing alkali metals.
- Sodium is also found in Period 3 of the periodic table.

2. **Chemical Symbol**:
- The chemical symbol for sodium is "Na". This is derived from the Latin name "Natrium".

3. **Classification**:
- Since sodium is in Group 1, it is classified as an alkali metal. Alkali metals are characterized by their high reactivity and tendency to lose one electron to form positive ions.

4. **Physical Properties**:
- Sodium is described as a soft metal. This means it can be cut with a knife easily.
- It has a silvery-white appearance, which distinguishes it from other metals that may have different colors.

5. **Reactivity**:
- Sodium is known to be highly reactive, especially with water, where it can produce hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide.

6. **Abundance**:
- Sodium is the most common and abundant alkali metal on Earth, making up about 2.8% of the Earth's crust.

### Conclusion:
Based on the above analysis, we can conclude that sodium is an alkali metal that is soft, silvery-white, highly reactive, and abundant in nature.

### Final Answer:
Sodium is an alkali metal.

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