Sodium tellurite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sodium tellurite |
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| Other names | Sodium Tellurite IV, Tellurous acid disodium salt |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
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| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | |
| Molar mass | 0 g mol-1 |
| Appearance | white crystals, powder |
| Density | 6.245 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | |
| Boiling point | |
| soluble greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 68°F |
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| Structure | |
| Crystal structure | rhombic |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
Sodium tellurite is a special kind of chemical compound. Its chemical formula is Na2TeO3. This means it is made up of sodium atoms and tellurite groups, which are like tiny charged particles called ions. It is a white solid that looks like crystals or powder.
Contents
What is Sodium Tellurite?
Sodium tellurite is a solid substance that has no color. It can easily dissolve in water. When the tellurite part of the compound mixes with water, it can change into something called sodium hydrogen tellurite.
This compound can act in two ways:
- It is a weak oxidizing agent. This means it can take electrons from other substances. When it does this, it changes into tellurium.
- It is also a weak reducing agent. This means it can give electrons to other substances. When it does this, it changes into tellurates.
Sodium tellurite is an important part of the process used to make pure tellurium.
How is Sodium Tellurite Made?
Scientists can make sodium tellurite in a couple of ways:
- One way is to mix tellurium dioxide with sodium hydroxide.
- Another way is to heat a substance called a telluride in the air along with sodium carbonate.
Cool Uses for Sodium Tellurite
Sodium tellurite has several interesting uses:
- Making Tellurium: It is mainly used to help create pure tellurium.
- Protecting Metals: It can be used in a process called electroplating. This helps make nickel more resistant to corrosion, which is like rusting or wearing away.
- Coloring Steel: It can give steel a cool bluish coating.
- Finding Bacteria: Scientists use it to find and separate certain types of bacteria. This is because these specific bacteria are not harmed by sodium tellurite.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Terulito de sodio para niños
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Sodium tellurite Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.