Question

What is the balanced equation for this reaction: `Na + H_2O -> NaOH + H_2`. What is the submicroscopic view of the equation?

Answer 1

`Na(s) + H_2O(l) rarr NaOH(aq) + 1/2H_2(aq)uarr`

Explanation:

Sodium metal is a powerful enuff reductant to reduce the water molecule to give dihydrogen gas. The is clearly an example of a redox equation:

`Na rarr Na^(+) +e^-` `(i)`

`H_2O + e^(-) rarr 1/2H_2(g)uarr +HO^-` `(ii)`

Overall........................`(i) + (ii):`

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