Question

Why does sodium metal have different properties than does sodium chloride?

Answer 1

Because sodium chloride is not sodium metal.

Explanation:

You have two different materials: an alkali metal; and an alkali metal salt.

Their reaction with water is expected to be different, and indeed is different:

`Na(s) + H_2O(l) rarr Na^(+)(aq) + ""^(-)OH(aq) + 1/2H_2(g)uarr`

`NaCl(s) rarr Na^(+)(aq) + Cl^(-)(aq)`