Final answer:
The balanced equation for the reaction of sodium metal with water is 2Na (s) + 2H₂O (l) → 2NaOH (aq) + H₂ (g), where sodium and water react to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
Step-by-step explanation:
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction of sodium metal with water to form aqueous sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas is:
2Na (s) + 2H₂O (l) → 2NaOH (aq) + H₂ (g)
This equation indicates that two moles of solid sodium (Na) react with two moles of liquid water (H₂O) to produce two moles of aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and one mole of molecular hydrogen gas (H₂). It is important to note that hydrogen gas is always produced as diatomic molecules, hence H₂(g), not H(g).
Upon dissolving in water, sodium hydroxide disassociates into sodium ions (Na+) and hydroxide ions (OH−), increasing the concentration of OH− ions in the solution, making it a strong base.