4 Sodium metal, Na, reacts with water to form a solution of
sodium hydroxide, NaOH, and gives off hydrogen gas, H.
Write a balanced symbol equation, including state symbols,
for this reaction.

2Na(s) + 2H2O(l) ---> 2NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

Explanation:

In the reaction above, solid pieces of sodium metal, Na, is dissolved in liquid water to form a solution of its alkali

(sodium hydroxide, NaOH) and gives off hydrogen gas, H.

The reaction occurs vigorously giving off hydrogen gas due to the highly reactive nature of alkali metals like sodium with water.

every chemical equation adheres to the law of conservation of mass, which states that matter cannot be created or destroyed. therefore, there must be the same number of atoms of each element on each side of a chemical equation.