2007-03-04 21:02:14 · 10 answers · asked by expert 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Because the reaction between sodium and water (Na + 2H2O --> NaOH + H2) is exothermic, which means it gives out a lot of heat. The increased temperature is enough to cause the hydrogen resulting from the reaction to burn by reacting with atmospheric oxygen (2H2 + O2 --> 2H2O). This reaction takes place almost explosively, so that probably explains your 'sparks'.
2007-03-04 21:11:27 · answer #1 · answered by JJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As Sodium is more electropositive and also more reactive, when a piece of it is to be brought in contact with water, it immediately looses electrons to form a positive ion. on the other hand it reacts with water to form Sodium Hydroxide. There by releasing hydrogen gas. Since the reaction is exothermic it supplies sufficient heat to catch fire by the liberated hydrogen. And for that reason it is store under kerosine.
Na ------------ > Na+ , 1e- (exothermic)
Sodium atom------> Sodium cation + Electron + Heat release
H2O -------------> H+ , OH-
Water ------------> Hydrogen ion + Hydroxyl anaion
Na+ OH- -------------------> NaOH
Sodium ion + hydroxyl ion --------> Sodium hydroxide
H+ 1e- ------------> H
Hydrogen ion + 1electron -----------> Hydrogen atom
H + H -----------------> H2
Hydrogen atom + Hydrogen atom ----------> Hydrogen molecule
2007-03-04 21:31:44 · answer #2 · answered by dinu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sodium is very reactive to water. It "grabs" oxygen releasing hydrogen. the sodium + oxygen reaction makes heat and ignites the H2.
2007-03-04 21:07:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
sodium has the 11th position in the reactivity series of metals so it's very reactive.
so, na+h2o=na2o+h2
the sodium oxide formed produces the spark
2007-03-05 01:19:26 · answer #4 · answered by cool 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when sodium is ut into the water it reacts vigrouly forming sodium hydro oxide with hydrogen and as it help in combustion ,so the sodium metal is kept in kerosene because it is a parrafin. not in water because there chance fire or burning.
2007-03-05 18:34:17 · answer #5 · answered by subisilver234 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sodium is a metal of high activity.it combines with water and give hydrogen. sodium has reduction potential -2.71 so it readily combines with water.
2007-03-06 23:47:58 · answer #6 · answered by rajjkamal2009 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when you put Na in water , you dissociate water in order to form NaOH which is dissociated in Na+ +OH-
This reaction is exothermic and release a great quantity of heat
2007-03-04 21:07:15 · answer #7 · answered by maussy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Na by itself is volatile. when it's binded with Cl, it becomes harmless table salt because of the ionic charges balancing each other out.
2007-03-04 21:07:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
because sodium reacts vigorously with water
2007-03-04 21:11:03 · answer #9 · answered by karthick s 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
when we do this the chemical reaction takes place in which the heat is thrown out hence it starst burning and sparkaling thts it
Na+H20=NaOH+Heat
2007-03-04 21:10:30 · answer #10 · answered by sameer 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋