Question 25
What happens when
(i) sodium metal is dropped in water ?
(ii) sodium metal is heated in free supply of air ?
(iii) sodium peroxide dissolves in water ?
(i) When Na metal is dropped in water, it reacts violently to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The chemical equation involved in the reaction is:
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
(ii) On being heated in air, sodium reacts vigorously with oxygen to form sodium peroxide. The chemical equation involved in the reaction is:
2Na(s) + O2(s) → Na2O2(s)
(iii) When sodium peroxide is dissolved in water, it is readily hydrolysed to form sodium hydroxide and water. The chemical equation involved in the reaction is:
Na2O2(s) + 2H2O(l) → 2NaOH(aq) + H2O2(aq)
