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Sodium is so very reactive because of its electron configuration. Like all Group I metals (lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, francium), sodium has only one electron in its outermost shell. The ten inner electrons (sodium is element number 11, so there are 11 protons and 11 electrons) shield that outermost electron from most of the attractive force of the nucleus, so that very little energy is required to strip it away (a low ionization energy). Because sodium can lose its electron so easily, it is known as a strong reducer (reducers give electrons to other chemicals). Sodium will react with any oxidizer it comes into contact with. (An oxidizer takes electrons. Oxygen is a common oxidizer, hence the name.)
Source: http://www.helium.com/items/621064-what-is-sodium-and-what-is-it-used-for
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Why does sulphuric acid react easily with sodium hydroxide and not hydrochloric acid?
an acid will react easily with base, not with another acid (generally) so sulphuric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide (a base) and not with hydrochloric acid
Why sodium is burnt in air?
Sodium does not react easily with oxygen at a room temperature so it has to be heated up a little for the reaction to start. Since air is mostly oxygen once the reaction starts it gets pretty violent and the piece of sodium explode.
Will aluminium react with sodium bicarbonate?
Aluminium doesn't react with sodium bicarbonate.Aluminium react with sodium hydroxide.
Why is sodium kept under oil in a tightly sealed container?
so that it cannot react with water, as when sodium and water react it is violent, so the oil keeps the water away
How does gold react with sodium bromide?
Gold does not react with sodium bromide.
Why does sulphuric acid react easily with sodium hydroxide and not hydrochloric acid?
an acid will react easily with base, not with another acid (generally) so sulphuric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide (a base) and not with hydrochloric acid
Does sodium react easily?
Sodium is a very reactive chemical element.
Does sodium not react easily?
Sodium is a very reactive chemical element.
Why shouldn't sodium be kept open to the air?
Sodium is very reactive and easily react with oxygen or water.
Why sodium and potassium will or will not react to form a bond with each other?
Potassium has a chloride mixture which makes it so sodium interacts easily with it to form the bond
What can you observe when Sodium and Chlorine react?
Naturally, Sodium is a metal (solid) and chlorine is a gas, so they only react at high temperatures or pressure. When they do react, they form crystals (sodium chloride).
Will aluminium react with sodium bicarbonate?
Aluminium doesn't react with sodium bicarbonate.Aluminium react with sodium hydroxide.
Why sodium is burnt in air?
Sodium does not react easily with oxygen at a room temperature so it has to be heated up a little for the reaction to start. Since air is mostly oxygen once the reaction starts it gets pretty violent and the piece of sodium explode.
Why is sodium kept under oil in a tightly sealed container?
so that it cannot react with water, as when sodium and water react it is violent, so the oil keeps the water away
What does sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfate react to form?
Sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfate don't actually react.
Will sodium bicarbonate react with alcohols?
No sodium bicarbonate doesn't react with alcohols.
How does gold react with sodium bromide?
Gold does not react with sodium bromide.
