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Sodium Meets Water

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Uploaded by on Jan 10, 2011

In this science lab experiment we see the result in which Sodium reacts exothermically with water: small pea-sized pieces will bounce across the surface of the water until they are consumed by it, whereas large pieces will explode.

While sodium reacts with water at room temperature, the sodium piece melts with the heat of the reaction to form a sphere, if the reacting sodium piece is large enough. The reaction with water produces very caustic sodium hydroxide (lye) and highly flammable hydrogen gas. These are extreme hazards (see Precautions section below).

When burned in air, sodium forms sodium peroxide Na2O2, or with limited oxygen, the oxide Na2O (unlike lithium, the nitride is not formed). If burned in oxygen under pressure, sodium superoxide NaO2 is produced.

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  • This should have a ton more views.

  • @benthefootball this is nothing. Last time we were in class during a demo he had a bunsen-burner out and placed the matches on some chemically-enhanced paper which them proceeded to catch on fire and scorch the floors. The entire class then stood there wondering what the should do. Meanwhile the teacher overpasses the fire extiguisher and tries to put out the fire with a spray-water bottle.

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  • im a 50th of you viewers

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