2007-04-24 20:02:00 · 7 answers · asked by kirankumar s 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
to prevent it from reacting with water in the air. its reaction with water is pretty violent.
2007-04-24 20:10:58 · answer #1 · answered by Kisses 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because kerosene has no water in it. Metallic sodium is so reactive that it is able to react even with just water present as vapour in the air.
Or in other words, the kerosene prevents the sodium from coming in contact with water, which would cause it to react violently.
2007-04-25 03:15:56 · answer #2 · answered by skenasis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because kerosene is non-aqueous, and metallic sodium reacts explosively to moisture? Can be stored in mineral oil also.
From http://chemmovies.unl.edu/chemistry/dochem/DoChem046.html
"...Metallic sodium is very dangerous; it is a strong reducing agent and prone to highly exothermic redox reactions. Fires and burns are possible. Flying debris from explosions resulting from misuse of sodium may cause severe injury..."
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium
2007-04-25 03:14:44 · answer #3 · answered by Kella G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
metallic sodium is very sensitive to water because of this reaction: 2Na + 2H2O ----> 2NaOH + H2 Kerosene is hydrophobic which means it won't mix with water. and its density is higher than water (it's heavier than water). this is important because if you add water to it the water stays on top and away from sodium which is at the bottom. if it was lighter than water the water would go down near the sodium with no way of coming up.
2007-04-25 04:40:55 · answer #4 · answered by CH4 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
metallic sodium is highly reactive and reacts with the moisture present in air. so it is stored in kerosene.
2007-04-25 03:30:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sodium is highly reactive and it burns in water so it is stored in kerosine.
2007-04-25 03:12:58 · answer #6 · answered by know it 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It reacts with air and water.
2007-04-25 03:19:16 · answer #7 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋