What is sodium used for?

Sodium is used to create industrial and manufacturing compounds and is also a common additive in salts, baking soda and baking powder. Sodium is unique in that it is a mineral with nutritional and economic benefits. Sodium is essential for humans and other organisms and is also a key ingredient in many compounds, such as sodium compounds.

Sodium is used in many homes in its pure and processed forms. Sea salt and table salt are among the most basic uses of sodium, and they are also added to fortify baking powders, baking sodas and even some beverages and shelved foods. Sodium can be liquefied and used to cool nuclear reactors and vaporized to produce bright yellow lights in streetlamps.