Sodium bromide facts for kids
Sodium bromide is a special kind of chemical compound, which is a substance made from two or more different chemical elements. Its chemical formula is NaBr. This means it's made up of one sodium atom and one bromine atom joined together. It exists as tiny charged particles called ions: a sodium ion and a bromide ion.
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What is Sodium Bromide Like?
Sodium bromide is a white solid, much like table salt. It dissolves very easily in water, making a clear solution.
When you heat sodium bromide very, very strongly in the air, it can release bromine gas. Bromine gas is a reddish-brown gas. Sodium bromide also reacts with chlorine gas to create liquid bromine.
How is Sodium Bromide Made?
One common way to make sodium bromide is by mixing hydrogen bromide with sodium hydroxide. Hydrogen bromide is an acid, and sodium hydroxide is a base, so they react to form salt (sodium bromide) and water.
It can also be made by directly combining sodium metal and bromine liquid. However, this reaction is very strong and energetic, so it's not usually done in a laboratory or factory.
What is Sodium Bromide Used For?
Sodium bromide has had several uses over time:
- Medicine: In the past, it was used in medicine as a hypnotic (to help people sleep) and a sedative (to calm people down). Another similar chemical, Potassium bromide, was also used for these purposes.
- Making Other Chemicals: It is often used to create other important bromine compounds, especially those used in organic chemistry, which is the study of carbon-containing compounds.
- Photography: It was used to make silver bromide, a key ingredient in old-fashioned photographic film and paper.
- Disinfectant: Sodium bromide can be used with chlorine to help clean and disinfect swimming pools.
- Oil Drilling: It is also used to make heavy liquids that help with drilling oil wells. These dense fluids help control pressure in the well.
Is Sodium Bromide Safe?
Sodium bromide is generally safe in small amounts. It is only harmful if someone takes very large amounts, similar to how too much sodium chloride (regular table salt) can be bad for you.
Related Compounds
Images for kids
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Bromo-Seltzer newspaper ad from 1908, showing a product that used bromides.
See also
In Spanish: Bromuro de sodio para niños
