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Reaction of Sodium and Chlorine

A piece of sodium (Na) metal is placed in a flask containing yellow chlorine (Cl₂) gas. No reaction occurs until a drop of water is added to initiate the reaction. Sand is present in the flask to absorb the resulting heat and prevent the flask from cracking under the extreme temperatures.

What's This? ChemEd DL Collection?

Like many of us, chemists are curious about some of the things they see. However, a chemist is less likely to go off with a shrug. Chemists are likely to want to understand and explain the things they see. This collection of interesting images uses video in an attempt to give you a chemist's explanation of what is occurring.

What's This? Archive

Click an image below to learn about its chemistry.