What Happens When Sodium Reacts with Water?

[kasse]

How can I predict the reaction between Na (s) and H₂, if any?

 

[chemisttree]

You might start by writing the putative equation and seeing if the thermodynamics would suggest it is possible.

 

[Blueshift5]

The reaction between Na (sodium) and water is highly exothermic, meaning it releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat. This reaction is also highly reactive and can be dangerous if not performed properly.

To predict the reaction between Na and H2 (hydrogen), we can use the reactivity series of metals. Sodium is a highly reactive metal and is more reactive than hydrogen. This means that sodium will displace hydrogen from water, resulting in the formation of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and the release of hydrogen gas.

The overall reaction can be represented as: 2Na (s) + 2H2O (l) -> 2NaOH (aq) + H2 (g)

Additionally, we can also use the standard reduction potentials of sodium and hydrogen to predict the reaction. The standard reduction potential for sodium is -2.71V and for hydrogen is 0V. This indicates that sodium has a higher tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions compared to hydrogen. Therefore, the reaction between sodium and water is spontaneous and will occur.

In summary, the reaction between Na (sodium) and water is highly exothermic and spontaneous due to the high reactivity of sodium. Predicting the reaction between Na and H2 can be done using the reactivity series of metals or the standard reduction potentials.