Answered

Select the correct answer.



The substances sodium $( Na )$, oxygen $\left( O _2\right)$, and sodium oxide $\left( Na _2 O \right)$ participate in this chemical reaction:

$4 Na+O_2 \rightarrow 2 Na_2 O .$



Which statement best describes the reaction?


AElements rearrange, but no compounds are created or destroyed.
BSodium oxide is created by the chemical reaction.
CAtoms from sodium oxide rearrange to form sodium and oxygen.
DIn a mixture of the three substances, sodium oxide separates from the sodium and oxygen.

Verified Answer :

  • The chemical reaction \(4\text{Na} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{Na}_2\text{O}\) shows sodium and oxygen as reactants and sodium oxide as the product.
  • Statement 1 is false because a compound is indeed being created.
  • Statement 3 is false as it describes the reverse reaction.
  • Statement 4 is false because it refers to physical separation, not chemical reaction.
  • Therefore, the correct statement is: \(\boxed{\text{Sodium oxide is created by the chemical reaction.}}\)

Explanation

  1. Analyzing the Chemical Equation

The chemical reaction provided is represented by the equation \(4\text{Na} + \text{O}_2 \rightarrow 2\text{Na}_2\text{O}\). In this equation, the substances on the left side of the arrow are the reactants, while the substance on the right side is the product. Specifically, sodium (\(\text{Na}\)) and oxygen (\(\text{O}_2\)) react to form the compound sodium oxide (\(\text{Na}_2\text{O}\)).

  1. Evaluating the Statements

We evaluate each of the given statements:

  1. 'Elements rearrange, but no compounds are created or destroyed': This is incorrect because the compound sodium oxide (\(\text{Na}_2\text{O}\)) is clearly being created as the product.
  2. 'Sodium oxide is created by the chemical reaction': This is correct. The chemical equation shows sodium oxide as the substance formed when sodium and oxygen react.
  3. 'Atoms from sodium oxide rearrange to form sodium and oxygen': This describes the reverse process (the decomposition of sodium oxide), which is the opposite of the given chemical reaction.
  4. 'In a mixture of the three substances, sodium oxide separates from the sodium and oxygen': This describes a physical separation, not the chemical reaction occurring in the equation.
  1. Conclusion

Based on our analysis, the most accurate statement is that sodium oxide is created by the chemical reaction, as it is identified as the product of the reaction between sodium and oxygen. The final answer is 'Sodium oxide is created by the chemical reaction.'

Examples

In chemistry, understanding how reactants interact to form products is essential. For example, when you burn a piece of magnesium ribbon, the magnesium reacts with oxygen in the air to form magnesium oxide, which is a white powder. Just like in the sodium reaction, this process is fundamental to understanding combustion and compound formation in the world around us, from the batteries powering our devices to the rust forming on iron objects.

Related Questions