5 Lithium, sodium and potassium all react with cold water - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2013 - Paper 1
Question 5
5 Lithium, sodium and potassium all react with cold water.
(a) Lithium, sodium and potassium are in group 1 of the periodic table.
Complete the sentence by putting... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:5 Lithium, sodium and potassium all react with cold water - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2013 - Paper 1
Step 1
Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.
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Answer
These elements are D alkali metals. Alkali metals are characterized by having one electron in their outer shell, making them highly reactive.
Step 2
Explain why this happens.
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Answer
When sodium is added to cold water, it forms a molten ball because the heat generated from the exothermic reaction causes the sodium to melt. The resulting sodium melts into a ball due to the combination of being less dense than water and the presence of hydrogen gas, which is also released during the reaction, forming a layer around the sodium that supports its floating.
Step 3
Write the balanced equation for the reaction of sodium with water.
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Answer
The balanced equation for the reaction of sodium with water is:
