What happens when sodium or potassium are left outside in the open?

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What happens when sodium or potassium are left outside in the open?

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Answer 1 · 2016-09-11T10:13:10

Slow oxidation and hydrolysis of the surface of the metal.

Explanation:

When alkali metal is exposed in the lab, the surface of the metal is oxidized by air or water:

$N a (s) + \frac{1}{2} O_{2} (g) \to N a O (s)$ $Na(s) + 1/2O_2(g)rarrNaO(s)$

or

$N a (s) + H_{2} O \to N a O H (a q) + \frac{1}{2} H_{2} (g) ↑ ⏐ ⏐ ⏐$ $Na(s)+ H_2O rarr NaOH(aq) + 1/2H_2(g)uarr$

The hydrolysis reaction for both alkali metals is vigorous. The reaction of potassium is especially vigorous. You can destroy relatively large quantities of sodium with ethanol with little trouble; but this procedure would be extremely hazardous with potassium. Gram quantities of potassium (but not sodium) can be destroyed by $25 %$ $25%$ $IPA$ $"IPA"$ in toluene.

$K (s) + P r^{i} O H (l) \to K^{+}^{-} O P r^{i} + \frac{1}{2} H_{2} (g) ↑ ⏐ ⏐ ⏐$ $K(s) + Pr^(i)OH(l) rarr K^+""^(-)OPr^(i) + 1/2H_2(g)uarr$

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What happens when sodium or potassium are left outside in the open?

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