Sodium chloride (common salt or table salt) is abbreviated as NaCl. It is an ionic compound having equal parts of sodium and chloride ions (1:1 ratio). In laboratories and industries, NaCl is produced by combining two very reactive elements: Sodium metals and chlorine gas and is further used as an initial material for the synthesis of many other compounds. In households, this salt is used as a food preservative and condiment. Fascinatingly, seawater's salinity is due to its presence of sodium chloride. It is used as a de-icing agent on roads in areas with heavy snowfall or sub-freezing weather.

Properties Of Sodium Chloride

Colourless/transparent/white and odourless cubic crystals
Soluble in water
Molar mass = 58.44 g/mol
Boiling point = 1,465°C and melting point = 800.7°C
Good conductor of electricity in a liquid state

Uses Of Sodium Chloride

Used in food industries as a food preservative.
Used in hard water softening
Used as a fire extinguishing agent
Used in the curing and preserving of hides and in the form of brine for refrigeration purposes.
Major raw material in the industrial manufacturing of various chemicals such as sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate etc.
Used in soap-making, glaze and porcelain enamel.
Contains iodine which does not allow calcium and iron deficiency in a child
Lowers the melting point of water, so in combination with grit, it is used for clearing roads of snow and ice.
Used as a cleaning agent in households
The key solution for intravenous therapies

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