Sodium nitrate

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Properties

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General

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Name

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Sodium nitrate

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Chemical formula

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NaNO3

Related Topics:
Na - NO₃

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Appearance

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White powder or colorless crystals

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Physical

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Formula weight

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85.0 amu

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Melting point

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580 K (307 °C)

Related Topics:
K - °C

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Boiling point

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decomposes at 653 K (380 °C)

Related Topics:
K - °C

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Density

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2.3 ×103 kg/m3

Related Topics:
Kg - M

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Crystal structure

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?

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Solubility

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92 g in 100mL water

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Thermochemistry

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ΔfH0liquid

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-452 kJ/mol

Related Topics:
KJ - Mol

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ΔfH0solid

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-468 kJ/mol

Related Topics:
KJ - Mol

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S0solid

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117 J/mol·K

Related Topics:
J - Mol - K

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Safety

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Ingestion

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May cause gastroenteritis and abdominal pains.

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Inhalation

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respiratory irritation

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Skin

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May cause irritation.

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Eyes

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May cause irritation.

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More info

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MSDS

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SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used.

Related Topics:
SI - Standard

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Disclaimer and references

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Sodium nitrate is a type of salt (NaNO3) which has long been used as an ingredient in explosives and in solid rocket propellants, as well as in glass and pottery enamel, and as a food preservative (such as in hot dogs), and has been mined extensively for those purposes. It is also variously known as caliche, Chile saltpeter, saltpeter, and soda niter.

Related Topics:
Hot dog - Caliche

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The world's largest natural deposits of caliche ore were in the Atacama desert of Chile, and many deposits were mined for over a century, until the 1940s. The former Chilean saltpeter mining communities of Humberstone and Santa Laura were declared Unesco World Heritage sites in 2005.

Related Topics:
Atacama - Chile - Humberstone and Santa Laura

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Chile still has the largest reserves of caliche, with active mines in such locations as Pedro de Valdivia, Maria Elena and Pampa Blanca. Sodium nitrate, potassium nitrate, sodium sulfate and iodine are all obtained by the processing of caliche.

Related Topics:
Potassium nitrate - Sodium sulfate - Iodine

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Sodium nitrate is also manufactured synthetically by reacting nitric acid with soda ash.

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The compound has antimicrobial properties when used as a food preservative. It is found naturally in leafy green vegetables. It has possible health benefits for increasing oxygen to blood, as well as known health side effects in particular at high doses.

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