Saline hydrides are known to react with water violently producing fire. Can $C O_{2}$ , a well known fire extinguisher, be used in this case? Explain.

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Solution

Saline hydrides such as $N a H, C a H_{2}$ violently react with water and form metal hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
$N a H (s) + H_{2} O (l) \to N a O H (a q) + H_{2} (g)$
$C a H_{2} (s) + 2 H_{2} O (l) \to C a (O H)_{2} (a q) + 2 H_{2} (g)$
During these reactions, large amount of energy is released so that hydrogen catches fire. $C O_{2}$ cannot extinguish this fire as it is reduced by hot metal hydride.
$N a H + C O_{2} \to H C O O N a$
To extinguish this fire, sand (a highly stable solid) can be used.

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