Question

What is the action of water on (a) sodium (b) magnesium and (c) aluminium? Write equations of the chemical reactions involved.

Answer 1

Hint : In order to answer this question, we will explain the action of water on given each element one by one with their reaction equation and then we will also explain the reaction between the water and the given elements.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
(a) Action of water on sodium:
Sodium is a mineral that dissolves in the blood and helps to keep blood pressure in check. Because sodium attracts and keeps water, it aids in the maintenance of the blood's liquid part. If you ingest too much salt, on the other hand, your body may retain additional water, increasing the volume of your blood.
Sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas are formed when sodium interacts vigorously with cold water.
$2Na\left( s \right) + 2{H_2}O\left( I \right) \to \;2NaOH\left( {aq} \right) + {H_2}\left( g \right) + Heat$
(b) Action of water on magnesium:
At normal temperature, water has little effect on magnesium metals. Magnesium is a slow-reacting element in general, but its reactivity rises as oxygen levels rise. Magnesium also interacts with water vapour to produce magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Magnesium hydroxide and hydrogen are formed when magnesium combines with hot water.
$Mg\left( s \right) + 2{H_2}O\left( I \right) \to Mg{\left( {OH} \right)_{2\;}}\left( {aq} \right) + {H_2}\left( g \right)$
(c) Action of water on aluminium:
Aluminium reacts with water to produce hydrogen gas due to its highly negative redox potential. When this chemical reaction occurs between the strands of an aluminium conductor, it may be particularly important.
Aluminium becomes aluminium oxide and hydrogen gas when it combines with steam.
$2AI\left( s \right) + 3{H_2}O\left( g \right) \to A{l_2}{O_3}\left( s \right) + 3{H_2}\left( g \right)$

Note :
Water reacts swiftly and easily with some metals. “Light” metals, in general, react violently with water. Some metals, on the other hand, react more slowly with water. The slower and more difficult the action becomes as the metal gets heavier. When water heats up, it gains more energy. The better the reaction, the more energy water possesses.