The reaction of sodium with water at room temperature is
A{'text': 'Slow and endothermic', 'label': 'A'}
B{'text': 'Neutral, giving no gas', 'label': 'B'}
C{'text': 'Vigorous and exothermic, with H₂ gas released', 'label': 'C'}
D{'text': 'Absent — sodium does not react with water', 'label': 'D'}
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. {'text': 'Vigorous and exothermic, with H₂ gas released', 'label': 'C'}
1. Sodium reacts very vigorously with cold water.
2. 2 Na + 2 H₂O → 2 NaOH + H₂↑ + heat.
3. The reaction is highly exothermic — heat released ignites the evolved H₂ gas.
4. That is why solid sodium is kept under kerosene for safety.
_Source: NCERT Class 10 Science, Ch 3 "Metals and Non-metals", §3.2.2_
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