Re^n RE: Whats the sodium for?

["Smith, Kirby A" <kirby.a.smith@lmco.com>]

 "Ken Keith" <Ken.Keith@SpecialDevices.com> wrote:

I do believe the sodium is either a powder or a liquid, tho'.  There are 
warnings about cutting into sodium valves, because it's poisonous.  I 
would imagine a solid material, even if it was poisonous, would be pretty 
easy to handle safely compared to a liquid or powder.

Sodium is a soft metal, best kept in kerosene until it is to be used.  It
burns in air due to contant with water vapor.  It explodes when dropped into
water. (BTDT) The result is sodium hydroxide, and hydrogen gas which then
explodes itself.  

                .... Kirby   (Kirby A. Smith)
                              2 x 1988 90q
                          New Hampshire USA