Question

Explain breifly that why sodium and potassium are stored in kerosene?

Answer 1

Dear Student,

Potassium and Sodium are very reactive alkali metals.
They react with water vapours in air to form their hydroxides and evolve hydrogen.
2Na + 2H₂O --------------> 2NaOH + H₂
2K + 2H₂O --------------> 2KOH + H₂
The reaction is so exothermic that evolved hydrogen catches fire.

So, to prevent their contact with water vapours, these are kept under kerosene.

Regards