Question

Why is Sodium stored in kerosene?

Answer 1

• Sodium is stored in kerosene because it is highly reactive in air. It will react with the Oxygen(${\mathrm{O}}_2$) present in the air.
• It burns when came in contact with air.
• Thus, the reaction will produce a lot of heat.
• $\underset{\mathrm{Sodium}}{4\mathrm{Na}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Oxide}}{2{\mathrm{Na}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}$
• Another possible reaction is, $\underset{\mathrm{Sodium}}{2\mathrm{Na}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Oxygen}}{{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{peroxide}}{{\mathrm{Na}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}$
• It is a type of exothermic reaction.