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Metals and Non-metals
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05/09/2021 12:28 pm
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Why is sodium kept immersed in kerosene oil?
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05/09/2021 12:29 pm
It is a highly reactive metal. Sodium reacts both with air and water. When kept in open, it readily combines with the oxygen present in air to form its oxide. Similarly, it reacts with water or moisture to form sodium hydroxide.
4Na(s) + O2(g) ➝ 2Na2O(s)
2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) ➝ 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)
In order to preserve sodium metal, we generally keep it under kerosene so that neither air nor moisture comes in contact with it.