Question

How can the following be converted into the respective nitrates? Give equations.

(a) Sodium

Answer 1

Reaction of metal and acid:

• A salt and hydrogen gas are produced when an acid undergoes a chemical reaction with a metal.
• When sodium metal $\left(\mathrm{Na}\right)$ reacts with nitric acid $\left({\mathrm{HNO}}_3\right)$, then formation of sodium nitrate $\left({\mathrm{NaNO}}_3\right)$ and hydrogen gas $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$ takes place.

Chemical reaction:

• The chemical equation is as follows:

$2\mathrm{Na}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+2{\mathrm{HNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{NaNO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$