Sodium iodide

Sodium iodide (NaI) is an ionic compound made of sodium cations and iodide anions. It is used as an iodine source, in organic synthesis, and in scintillation detectors.

Thyroid scintigraphy: Medical imaging that uses radioactive tracers to show thyroid function and iodine uptake. Radioiodide derived from sodium iodide can trace how the thyroid takes up iodine.
Ionic bond: Electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions in a compound. The attraction between Na⁺ and I⁻ holds sodium iodide together.
Sodium: A soft, highly reactive alkali metal with atomic number 11. Sodium contributes the Na⁺ cation in sodium iodide.
Cesium iodide: An ionic compound of cesium and iodide used in scintillation detectors and other applications. It is another iodide scintillator, with properties that differ from NaI.
Iodized salt: Edible salt fortified with iodine compounds to prevent iodine deficiency. Sodium iodide is one compound used to add iodine to foods.
Crystal structure: The ordered, repeating arrangement of atoms or ions in a crystalline solid. Solid NaI adopts an extended lattice rather than existing as separate molecules.
Iodine: A halogen element with atomic number 53, essential in small amounts for thyroid hormone production. Iodine forms the iodide component of NaI and gives it nutritional relevance.
Bismuth germanate: An inorganic scintillator crystal composed of bismuth, germanium, and oxygen. It offers a non-iodide alternative for detecting gamma radiation.
Sodium iodide scintillation detector: A detector that converts ionizing radiation into flashes of light in a sodium iodide crystal. Its crystal form makes NaI useful for detecting gamma rays.
Solubility: The extent to which a substance dissolves in a particular solvent under specified conditions. Water readily separates and solvates Na⁺ and I⁻ from the NaI lattice.

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