Left metal radical - the simplified side-form of
金. The indexing radical, marking
钠 as a metallic element: sodium (Na). The whole modern periodic-table column of alkali metals sits under this radical -
锂 (lithium),
钾 (potassium),
铷 (rubidium),
铯 (caesium). Inorganic element names almost always use
钅 plus a phonetic.