weeT1701
Dec 3, 2008, 02:31 PM
Why is reacting sodium metal with dilute sulphuric acid a bad idea?
cytochromeb6f2
Dec 3, 2008, 09:24 PM
Sodium is an alkali metal; elements in this group are highly reactive with water.
Here's the general equation; alkali metal=M in this example.
2M(s) + 2H20(l) --> 2M+(aq) + 2 HO-(aq) + H2(g)
This is an incredibly exothermic reaction; the energy released from the reaction of Na and H20 is usually enough to ignite the hydrogen gas formed in the reaction.
In plain words - EXPLOSION!!
Now, I realize you are talking about dilute H2SO4, but the result is roughly similar.