natriumionien

Natriumionien are positively charged sodium ions with the chemical symbol Na+ and a charge of +1. They form when sodium atoms lose one electron and are the primary monovalent cations found in extracellular fluids. In aqueous solutions, sodium ions are typically hydrated, surrounded by water molecules as Na(H2O)n+.

They are abundant in seawater and many minerals, most notably common salt (sodium chloride, NaCl). In nature they occur dissolved in brines and as components of minerals such as halite. Industrially, Na+ ions are produced and handled through processes that treat sodium chloride brine, yielding chlorine gas, sodium hydroxide, and hydrogen; Na+ remains in solution and pairs with various counterions depending on the medium.

Physiologically, Na+ is the dominant extracellular cation, with typical concentrations around 140 millimolar in blood plasma and about 10–15 millimolar intracellularly. It plays a key role in osmotic balance, nerve impulse transmission, and muscle contraction. The Na+/K+-ATPase pump maintains the transmembrane Na+ gradient by actively exporting Na+ from cells in exchange for K+.

Chemically, Na+ is a small, highly hydrated ion. It forms salts with many anions; common salts include NaCl, Na2SO4, and NaHCO3. In environmental contexts, sodium ions contribute to water salinity and influence chemical reactivity and soil structure. Excess sodium intake or exposure can be associated with health concerns such as hypernatremia or hypertension, depending on context.