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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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Will aluminium react with sodium bicarbonate?

Aluminum will not react with sodium bicarbonate under normal conditions. Aluminum is a relatively inert metal and does not easily undergo chemical reactions with weak bases such as sodium bicarbonate.


Why does sulphuric acid react easily with sodium hydroxide and not hydrochloric acid?

Sulfuric acid reacts easily with sodium hydroxide to form sodium sulfate and water because sulfuric acid is a strong acid and sodium hydroxide is a strong base. This reaction occurs because both acids and bases react to form water and a salt. Hydrochloric acid may not react in the same way because it is a weaker acid compared to sulfuric acid.


Does sodium hydroxide react with gold?

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) does not react with gold under normal conditions. Gold is a noble metal, which means it is relatively unreactive and does not easily react with substances like sodium hydroxide.


Which elements react with two atoms of sodium to form an ionic compound?

Elements with one extra electron that can easily donate it to sodium are likely to react with two atoms of sodium to form an ionic compound. For example, chlorine (Cl) and fluorine (F) can react with two sodium atoms to form ionic compounds such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium fluoride (NaF).


Why would you expect sodium to react strongly with chlorine what would you loose?

Sodium would react strongly with chlorine because sodium has one electron in its outer shell, which it can easily lose to become stable. Chlorine has seven electrons in its outer shell and can gain one electron to achieve stability. When sodium and chlorine react, sodium loses an electron to chlorine, forming sodium chloride (table salt).

Related Questions

Does sodium react easily?

Sodium is a very reactive chemical element.


Will aluminium react with sodium bicarbonate?

Aluminum will not react with sodium bicarbonate under normal conditions. Aluminum is a relatively inert metal and does not easily undergo chemical reactions with weak bases such as sodium bicarbonate.


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 does sulphuric acid react easily with sodium hydroxide and not hydrochloric acid?

Sulfuric acid reacts easily with sodium hydroxide to form sodium sulfate and water because sulfuric acid is a strong acid and sodium hydroxide is a strong base. This reaction occurs because both acids and bases react to form water and a salt. Hydrochloric acid may not react in the same way because it is a weaker acid compared to sulfuric acid.


Does sodium hydroxide react with gold?

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) does not react with gold under normal conditions. Gold is a noble metal, which means it is relatively unreactive and does not easily react with substances like sodium hydroxide.


Which elements react with two atoms of sodium to form an ionic compound?

Elements with one extra electron that can easily donate it to sodium are likely to react with two atoms of sodium to form an ionic compound. For example, chlorine (Cl) and fluorine (F) can react with two sodium atoms to form ionic compounds such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium fluoride (NaF).


Why elemental sodium react and chlorine react so readily?

Elemental sodium and Clorine are highly reactive because sodium has one electron in its outer shell that it wants to lose, while chlorine has seven electrons in its outer shell and it wants to gain one electron. When they react, sodium easily gives its electron to chlorine to form sodium chloride, which is a stable ionic compound.


Why would you expect sodium to react strongly with chlorine what would you loose?

Sodium would react strongly with chlorine because sodium has one electron in its outer shell, which it can easily lose to become stable. Chlorine has seven electrons in its outer shell and can gain one electron to achieve stability. When sodium and chlorine react, sodium loses an electron to chlorine, forming sodium chloride (table salt).


Does magnesium react with sodium chloride?

No, magnesium does not react with sodium chloride. Magnesium is a less reactive metal compared to sodium, so it does not displace sodium from its compound with chloride.


Will chlorine react with sodium chloride?

No, chlorine will not react with sodium chloride. Sodium chloride is already composed of sodium and chlorine ions in a 1:1 ratio, so there would be no further reaction between the two.


Can sodium hydrocide solution react with magnisium sulphate to form a white precipitate to form a?

No, sodium hydroxide solution and magnesium sulfate do not react to form a white precipitate. When these compounds are mixed, no visible reaction occurs as magnesium hydroxide is formed, which is a slightly soluble white solid that does not precipitate out easily in solution.