What does sodium do in water?

Answer 1

Sodium metal in water , floats, spits, fumes and pops.

When sodium metal is placed in water it reacts with the water to form sodium hydroxide , and release hydrogen gas.

2Na)s) + 2H2O(l) = 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

Because the reaction is so fast , it generates heat, this heat ignites the liberated hydrogen with the characteristic 'pop'.

On going down the Group(I) ; Alkali Metals, Potassium, Rubidium, Caesium, the reaction becomes more and more violent, to the point of immediate explosion.

The reactiobn with Francium is NOT conducted, because Francium is radio-active, and one cannot have radio-active material spitting/exploding everywhere.

Answer 2

The unstable nature of sodium and other alkali metals makes it fun to throw in water. Sodium rips apart the oxygen and hydrogen atoms that form water, thus converting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Then, the immense heat generated by the reaction will ignite the hydrogen, fusing it with oxygen to form water (water atoms is made out of one oxygen atom and two hydrogen atoms), and also at that time the fire made by the hydrogen that was set aflame will create that big explosion and fire.

Answer 3

When sodium is added to water, it reacts vigorously to produce hydrogen gas and sodium hydroxide. This reaction generates heat and is highly exothermic. Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and can be corrosive.