Why is sodium placed where it is?

In ordinary air, sodium metal reacts to form a sodium hydroxide film, which can rapidly absorb carbon dioxide from the air, forming sodium bicarbonate. Sodium does not react with nitrogen, so sodium is usually kept immersed in a nitrogen atmosphere (or in inert liquids such as kerosene or naphtha).

What does it mean if an element is in the s-block?

s-block elements are the elements found in Group 1 and Group 2 on the periodic table. Group 1 are the alkali metals which have one valence electron. They have low ionization energies which makes them very reactive. Group 2 is the alkali earth metals which have two valence electrons, filling their s sublevel.

Is sodium in the p-block?

The third period contains eight elements: sodium, magnesium, aluminium, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, and argon. The first two, sodium and magnesium, are members of the s-block of the periodic table, while the others are members of the p-block.

Why is sodium in Group 1 in terms of electrons?

Atoms of group 1 elements all have one electron in their outer shell. This means that the alkali metals all have similar chemical properties .

Why is sodium kept immersed in kerosene oil?

Sodium is a highly reactive metal and reacts vigorously with the oxygen, carbon dioxide and moisture present in the air such that it may even cause a fire. To prevent this explosive reaction, Sodium is kept immersed in kerosene because Sodium doesn’t react with kerosene.

Why does sodium catch fire in the air?

Sodium reacts vigorously with cold water forming sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hydrogen(H2). The reaction of sodium metal with water is highly heat producing due to which the hydrogen gas formed during the reaction catches fire and burns causing little explosions.

Why are s-block elements most reactive?

s-block elements have one or two electron in their outmost e shells, hence they become stable by giving up one electron easily (low ionization energy) to become singly charged positive ions, i.e. cations. Hence they are highly reactive and require vvery least amount of energy for their reactions.

Which type of elements occur in s-block?

S-block comprises 14 elements namely hydrogen (H), lithium (Li), helium (He), sodium (Na), beryllium (Be), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), rubidium (Rb), calcium (Ca), cesium (Cs), strontium (Sr), francium (Fr), barium (Ba), and radium (Ra).

What block does sodium belong to?

s-block

Which block in the periodic table contains the alkali metals?

The s-block in the periodic table of elements occupies the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, also known as groups 1 and 2.

What period is sodium in?

Fact box

Why is sodium classified as an s-block element?

By convention, elements are classified into block on the periodic table based on the location of their valence electron. In writing the orbital electronic configuration of sodium, the valence electron is located on the 3s orbital that is why sodium is classified as an s-block element. Na = 11 = 1s(2) 2s(2) 2p(6) 3s(1)

Why are the s-block elements so reactive?

In fact, they lose their trademark s orbital valence electrons so easily that the s-block elements are considered to be some of the most reactive elements on the periodic table. Sodium, an s-block element, is a silvery and soft metal.

What is the importance of the s block on the periodic table?

These are important because it is the outer electrons that are active in most bonding situations. The “s” block has the most reactive metals on the periodic table and Sodium is the most reactive metal. Pure sodium will react with water and burn in water.

Why is sodium kept in the 1st group of elements?

The chemical properties are a function of the number of valence electrons an element has. In group 1, all elements have one valence electron and thus they have similar chemical properties (highly reactive, low melting and boiling point). That is why it is kept in the 1st group. Why is sodium used in element detection tests?