Sodium is a very soft metal that can be cut easily with a table knife. Its density is so low that it will float when placed in water. At the same time, the metal is so active that it reacts violently with water, producing sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas as products. Sufficient heat is produced in the reaction to cause the metal to heat and to ignite the hydrogen produced in the reaction.
Freshly cut sodium metal has a bright, shiny surface that quickly becomes dull gray as it reacts with oxygen in the air around it. Over time, the metal becomes covered with white crust of sodium oxide that prevents further reaction of the metal and oxygen.
Freshly cut sodium metal has a bright, shiny surface that quickly becomes dull gray as it reacts with oxygen in the air around it. Over time, the metal becomes covered with white crust of sodium oxide that prevents further reaction of the metal and oxygen.
