Question

Given the equation: 2Na + 2H2O → 2NaOH + H2 Which substance in this equation is a binary compound?

Answer 1

Answer: In the following equation,
`H_2O` is considered as a binary compound.

Explanation: A binary compound is considered as a compound having 2 elements only. In the following chemical equation:

`2Na+2H_2O\rightarrow 2NaOH+H_2`

There are 2 compounds present because compound is defined as the chemical combination of two or more elements in a fixed ratio.

In the equation, compounds are:
`H_2O` and
`NaOH`

`H_2O` consists of 2 elements which are hydrogen and oxygen and hence is considered as a binary compound.

`NaOH` consists of 3 elements which are sodium, hydrogen and oxygen and hence, cannot be considered as a binary compound.