Why is water and sodium so reactive?

Answer 1

Sodium (Na; Atomic number: 11) is a higly reactive element belonging to the alkali group. Since sodium has valency 1 ie it has one lone electron in its outermost orbital, it is highly reactive in nature. When sodium is added to water, the lone electron of sodium reacts with the hydroxyl group of water and displaces H+ ion, thus forming NaOH (sodium hydroxide). Since this is a highly exothermic reaction, the sudden release of energy during bond reformation results in explosion.

Answer 2

Sodium is an alkali metal, meaning it has a very low ionization energy. When it is added to water, it behaves as a reducing agent and thus itself is easily oxidized to sodium ions. The water molecule accepts the electron and is reduced, forming H+ and OH- ions. The sodium ions are attraced to the OH- ions, and "the OH- ion gives its electron up to sodium", forming an ionic bond. This doesn't technically happen in solution, however, due to dissociation. A better example for this 'coming together' would be for the formation of an insoluble metal hydroxide, e.g. calcium hydroxide, from the reaction of calcium and water, where the ions to literally come together to form a new compound via an ionic bond. In any case, The hydrogen ions become hydrogen gas which is liberated off in bubbles.

To put it in a nutshell, sodium is so reactive because it wants to lose it's lone outer electron to get the noble gas configuration.

The reaction can be expressed as;

2Na + 2H2O ----> 2NaOH + H2

Answer 3

why sodium floats on water!!!sodium has to float on water as it is very reactive.

Answer 4

Yes it does explode in water. It will first sizzle, then catch fire, then blow up like a firework. Don't try this at home.

Answer 5

because it is stable and the energy levels combined would leave a full outter level full so it is stable

Answer 6

Because the chemical reaction in the water bursts and then it explodes

Answer 7

Sodium explodes when added to water because it is an alkaline metal.

Answer 8

A chemical reaction takes place which is violent.