Which metal reacts violently with cold water?
- AOption (a)
Copper
- BOption (b)
Magnesium
- COption (c)
Sodium
- DOption (d)
Aluminium
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Correct answer
Sodium
Why this answer is correct
The correct answer is Sodium.
Key Points
- Sodium is a highly reactive metal belonging to Group 1 (alkali metals) of the Periodic Table with an atomic number of 11.
- It reacts violently and explosively with cold water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The reaction is represented as 2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2.
- The reaction is extremely exothermic, meaning it releases a significant amount of heat. This heat is often sufficient to ignite the hydrogen gas produced, leading to a visible flame or explosion. Hence, the statement regarding sodium reacting violently with cold water is correct.
- Due to its high reactivity with both oxygen and moisture (water vapor) in the air, sodium is always stored under kerosene oil to prevent accidental reactions.
- Potassium is another metal that reacts even more violently than sodium with cold water, as reactivity increases down the group in the periodic table.
Additional Information
- Magnesium (Mg):
- Magnesium has the atomic number 12 and belongs to Group 2 (alkaline earth metals).
- It does not react with cold water. However, it reacts slowly with hot water and more vigorously with steam to form magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen. Hence, the statement that magnesium reacts violently with cold water is incorrect.
- Aluminium (Al):
- Aluminium is a metal in Group 13 with the atomic number 13.
- It does not react with cold or hot water under normal conditions due to the formation of a tough, protective oxide layer on its surface. It only reacts with steam at high temperatures. Hence, the statement regarding aluminium is incorrect.
- Copper (Cu):
- Copper is a transition metal with the atomic number 29.
- It is placed very low in the reactivity series, even below hydrogen. Consequently, it does not react with water or steam at any temperature. Hence, the statement regarding copper is incorrect.
- Reactivity Series:
- The reactivity series is a list of metals arranged in the order of their decreasing chemical reactivity.
- Metals like Potassium, Sodium, Lithium, and Calcium are at the top and can react with cold water. Metals like Gold, Silver, and Platinum are at the bottom and are highly unreactive.
Important Points
- Chemical Hazards: Handling Sodium requires strict safety protocols, including the use of forceps and protective gear, as skin contact can cause severe chemical burns due to the reaction with moisture on the skin.
- Density: Sodium is one of the few metals that is less dense than water (density approx 0.97 g/cm3). Because of this, it floats on the surface of the water while it reacts violently, moving around rapidly as the hydrogen gas is evolved.
- Identification: When sodium reacts with water, the resulting solution of sodium hydroxide is a strong base, which can be identified by turning red litmus paper blue or turning phenolphthalein indicator pink.
- Year of Discovery: Sodium was first isolated in 1807 by Sir Humphry Davy through the electrolysis of caustic soda.