The Violent Reaction of Sodium with Water

What happens when sodium combines with water?

1. It produces sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

2. It produces sodium chloride and oxygen gas.

3. It produces sodium carbonate and carbon dioxide gas.

Answer:

1. It produces sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.

When sodium combines with water, it undergoes a violent reaction that produces sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. This reaction is highly exothermic and releases a significant amount of heat energy.

Sodium is a highly reactive metal that reacts vigorously with water to form sodium hydroxide, a strong base, and hydrogen gas. The chemical equation for this reaction is:

Sodium + Water → Sodium Hydroxide + Hydrogen

During the reaction, sodium atoms lose electrons to form positively charged ions, while water molecules are broken down into hydroxide ions (OH-) and hydrogen gas (H2). The formation of sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas is characteristic of the reaction of alkali metals with water.

This violent reaction of sodium with water showcases the reactivity of alkali metals and the production of important chemical compounds like sodium hydroxide.