The first element is Sodium with one electron in the 3s shell. Sodium is the sixth most abundant element. It is an Alkali Metal and oxidizes in air and reacts violently with water, where it forms caustic lye (NaOH) and explosive Hydrogen gas. At room temperature pure sodium is soft enough to be cut with a knife. In the body Sodium ions work opposite Potassium ions (the next heavier alkali metal) to produce an electric potential across cell membranes allowing nerve impulse transfers and muscle contractions. Sodium also regulates blood volume and pressure, helping to maintain the bodily fluid balance. Sodium produces a characteristic yellow light when burned or electrified and is found in Sodium Vapor lamps used as streetlights. It melts at 207°F, very near the boiling point of water. It is also used in soaps as the salt of fatty acids since almost all Sodium containing compounds are water soluble.
The seventh element is Chlorine with a pair of 3s electrons and five of the six 3p electrons. Chlorine is a Halogen gas. Like many other elemental gases, other than the Noble group, Chlorine exists as a diatomic (2 atoms) molecule. It is a yellow green gas with a strong bleach smell. It is very caustic and damaging to living tissue. It is used as a disinfectant in swimming pools and municipal water systems in its diatomic form dissolved in water and in household products as Sodium Hypochlorite (NaClO), more commonly known as bleach. Chlorine gas has been used as a weapon of war, most notably in WWI by the German Army. In chlorofluorocarbons (compounds containing Chlorine, Fluorine and Carbon) it is thought to deplete the ozone layer in the upper atmosphere, thus increasing our exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Chlorofluorocarbons were widely used as refrigerants and as propellants in spray cans but have since been mostly banned in the United States.Together Sodium and Chlorine form one of the most well known of all compounds, Salt. Sodium wants to release one electron and Chlorine wants to gain one so they are a perfect pair. Salt is one of the oldest and most common food seasonings and was used to preserve meat before refrigeration. Salt is essential to life in small quantities but can be toxic if over consumed.
Saltiness is a basic human taste, generally due to the presence of Sodium ions. The tongue contains specific taste buds to detect the presence of “saltiness” in foods. Generally foods without some salt taste bland. Job 6:6-7 says “Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of an egg? I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill (NIV).” Salt also enhances the flavor of sugar. A small amount of salt should be used in cooking anything sweetened with sugar and a small amount of sugar should be used when preparing a salty dish. One improves the flavor of the other by stimulating more of the taste buds. Salt also raises the melting and boiling points of water so it can be used to melt snow and ice from the roads or help improve cooking with boiling water.
Matt 5:13 reads "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men (NIV).” For salt to loose its flavor, it would have to be contaminated with something that removes or replaces the Sodium, such as other minerals. The salt mentioned in the Bible was not refined and did contain such minerals and other contaminants so when it got wet, it was possible for the salt to loose some of its flavor. So we as Christians must not lose our saltiness but, by our lives and our sharing of His Word, we are to flavor the world with His grace and peace and to preserve the world from sin and moral corruption. By bringing down the blessings of God in answer to our prayers, and by our influence and example, we can direct those in the world that hear us to Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment