Question

Water can be used to store phosphorous but it is not used to store sodium. Give reason.​

Answer 1

$\sf \huge \blue{Answer:-}$

$\sf sodium \: is \: highly \: reactive \: metal \: and \: it \: easily$ $\sf and \: quickly \: reacts \: with \: water \: and atmospheric$ $\sf air. \: If \: we \: keep \: it \: open \: in \:air, \: it \: will\:have \: a$ $\sf tendency \: to \: catch \: fire \:very \: fast. \: Phosphorus \: is$ $\sf also \: very \: reactive \: that's \: why \: it \: is \: kept \: in \: water$ $\sf prevent \: it \: from \: undergoing \: reaction \: with \: air.$

Answer 2

It is not used to store as sodium is highly reactive.

• Sodium is a metal with a strong reactivity. It interacts with water to produce hydrogen gas, which ignites quickly.
• When sodium interacts with water in the presence of ordinary air, a layer of sodium hydroxide forms, which quickly absorbs carbon dioxide and generates sodium bicarbonate.
• Because phosphorus is a highly reactive non-metal, it is kept in water. It is kept in water to avoid interaction with ambient oxygen.