Question

sodium combines with oxygen to form sodium oxide. What two names can be given to this reaction. Give a balanced reaction.

Answer 1

4Na + O2 → 2Na2O (s)

Or

Na + O2 → NaO2 (s)

2Na + O2 → Na2O2 (s)

There are a lot of oxides of sodium and they are all possible. But the most likely one is the first one.

Products of the reaction:

1st: sodium oxide

2nd: sodium superoxide

3rd: sodium peroxide