Question

Sodium metal reacts with chlorine gas in a combination reaction Write a halancest exuation to describe this reaction.

Short answer

The balanced equation for the reaction is: \( 2Na + Cl_2 \rightarrow 2NaCl \)

Step-by-step solution

Write down the unbalanced equation

The sodium metal (Na) is reacting with chlorine gas (Cl_2) to yield sodium chloride (NaCl). This will give us an unbalanced chemical equation as: \( Na + Cl_2 \rightarrow NaCl \)

Balance the Sodium atoms

Sodium atoms are balanced in the given equation. So, no changes are needed.

Balance the Chlorine atoms

On the left side there are 2 atoms of Chlorine, and on the right side there is only 1. To balance the chlorine atoms, put a coefficient of 2 before NaCl on the right side of the equation. This changes the number of Na atoms on the right-hand side, so a 2 is also put before Na on the left-hand-side. This gives us the balanced equation: \( 2Na + Cl_2 \rightarrow 2NaCl \)

Key concepts

Combination Reaction

In the world of chemistry, a combination reaction is one where two or more reactants merge to form a single product. This process is akin to baking a cake where individual ingredients come together to create something new. For instance, when you combine sodium (Na) with chlorine gas (Cl₂), you end up with sodium chloride (NaCl), which is table salt.

In such reactions, understanding the starting materials and the resulting compound is crucial. A combination reaction, like the one between sodium and chlorine, demonstrates how distinct elements react to form compounds essential in everyday life.

Reactivity of Sodium

Sodium is a highly reactive metal found in Group 1 of the periodic table, known as the alkali metals. Its reactivity is due to its single electron in the outermost shell which it readily loses, hoping to achieve a stable electron configuration. In a dry environment, sodium may not react significantly, but when it encounters water or other elements like chlorine, it reacts vigorously, often producing heat and light.

Safety Measures

When handling sodium, it is critical to be aware of its high reactivity. It must be stored in oil to prevent accidental reactions with water or air humidity. In a laboratory, any reaction involving sodium requires appropriate safety precautions to prevent explosive reactions.

Chemical Equation Balancing

Balancing chemical equations is a fundamental skill in chemistry, akin to ensuring that the scales of justice are even. It's all about making sure that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the equation, to satisfy the Law of Conservation of Mass. This law states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed.

To balance an equation, start with the most complex substance. Add coefficients, which are the numbers in front of molecules, to balance each type of atom. Avoid changing chemical formulas during this process. Remember, you can only balance an equation by adjusting coefficients, not by altering subscripts in chemical formulas.

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry, from the Greek words for 'measure' and 'element', is the calculation of the quantities of reactants and products involved in chemical reactions. It is the cookbook of chemistry, providing recipes that detail how much of each ingredient is needed for a reaction and what quantity of product it will yield. Stoichiometry is tied closely to the balanced chemical equation.

By employing stoichiometry, a chemist can predict how much sodium is needed to fully react with a certain amount of chlorine gas to produce sodium chloride. It acts as GPS for the road trip of a chemical reaction, guiding you from reactants to products with precise instructions on 'how much' and 'how far'.