Question

Phosphorus is stored in water.Can sodium be stored in it ?Explain your answer giving a suitable reason.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Phosphorus is stored in water because phosphorus is very reactive non metal. It catches fire if exposed to air. To prevent the contact of phosphorus with atmospheric oxygen,it is stored in water. Whereas,sodium is very reactive. It reacts vigorously with oxygen and water. A lot of heat is generated in the reaction. It is, therefore,stored in kerosene.

Sodium reacts vigourously with air which prevents it to be stored outside kerosine.

Kerosene is composed of saturated hydrocarbons, with which sodium does not react. It does react rapidly, however, with the water vapor and oxygen in air and therefore must be protected from it in order to remain in elemental form.