Solid sodium reacts violently with water, producing heat, hydrogen gas, and sodium hydroxide. How many molecules of hydrogen gas are formed when 48.7 g of sodium are added to water?. 2Na + 2H2O --> 2NaOH + H2. . Show your work.
We need to first find the number of moles of sodium present in 48.7 g.
molar mass of Na = 22.99 g/mol
Number of moles of Na = 48.7 g / 22.99 g/mol = 2.12 mol
From the balanced chemical equation, we know that for every 2 moles of Na that react, 1 mole of H2 is produced.
So, 2.12 mol Na will produce 1.06 mol H2.
To find the number of molecules of H2, we need to multiply the number of moles by Avogadro's number.
Avogadro's number = 6.02 x 10^23 mol^-1
Number of molecules of H2 = 1.06 mol x 6.02 x 10^23 mol^-1 = 6.38 x 10^23 molecules of H2
Therefore, 6.38 x 10^23 molecules of H2 are formed when 48.7 g of sodium react with water.