Sodium Reacting with Water

2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂

Overview

Sodium metal reacts violently with water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The reaction is so exothermic that the hydrogen often ignites, burning with a yellow flame from sodium vapor. The sodium dashes across the water surface as a molten ball due to the heat generated.

Participants

Role	Substance	Coefficient	State
Reactant	Sodium Na	2	(s)
Reactant	Water H₂O	2	(l)
Product	Hydrogen H	1	(g)
Product	Sodium Hydroxide NaOH	2	(aq)

Everyday Example

Videos of alkali metals being thrown into water are popular science demonstrations, showing sodium's dramatic reaction with water.

Industrial Importance

Understanding sodium-water reactivity is critical for safe handling of sodium metal in the chlor-alkali industry, nuclear reactors (sodium coolant), and chemical storage.

Properties

Type: Single Replacement
Reversible: No
Energy: Exothermic
ΔH: -368.6 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Reacting with Hydrochloric Acid Aluminum Reacting with Iron(III) Oxide (Thermite) Aluminum Reducing Chromium Oxide (Aluminothermic) Calcium Reacting with Water Carbon Reducing Iron Oxide in Blast Furnace Chlorine Displacing Bromine from Sodium Bromide Chlorine Displacing Iodine from Potassium Iodide Copper Displacing Silver from Silver Nitrate Fluorine Displacing Chlorine from Sodium Chloride Hydrogen Reducing Copper Oxide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Sodium Reacting with Water?

The balanced equation is: 2Na + 2H₂O → 2NaOH + H₂.

What type of reaction is Sodium Reacting with Water?

Sodium Reacting with Water is a single replacement reaction.

Is Sodium Reacting with Water exothermic or endothermic?

Sodium Reacting with Water is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -368.6 kJ/mol.