what element is it that combusts when it comes in contact with water?

Question

i think it starts with a p

Answer 1

potassium is what you're probably talking but sodium, lithium, francium, cesium and rubidium all will produce approximately the same reaction. And also the element doesn't combust, it breaks the oxygen-hydrogen bonds forming hydrogen gas and a hydroxide of what ever previously mentioned metal is placed in the water, and the heat produced by the hydroxide formation ignites the hydrogen producing the flame or explosion, depending on the metal used, not the metal oxidizing.

Answer 2

Lithium, Sodium Potassium

Answer 3

there are several elements that react with water. the one you're thinking of is potassium, but putting lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium or calcium in water will create hydrogen gas which, when sparked combusts with the oxygen in the air. so the element doesn't burn, but the by-product of the reaction with water does. don't do this in large amounts, the explosion created is very large and i wouldn't want you to hurt yourself.

Answer 4

The Group 1A elements:

i.e. Lithium, Sodium, Potassium, Rubidium, Cesium, and Francium

Answer 5

any element in group 1 of the periodic table, besides Hydrogen. pure sodium, potassium, etc will combust because of its high reactivity

Answer 6

Phosphorus

Answer 7

all group 1 elements react vigorously with water and some explode

Answer 8

Calcium phosphide reacts with acid or water to release phosphine, which ignites spontaneously.

I hope this is an academic question.

Answer 9

all of the alkali elements (column 1) lithium, sodium phosphorous rubidium, cesium, and francium.

Answer 10

Potassium, with a P
Or sodium or cesium or lithium or rubidium...