ELi5: Why do Alkali Metals react so violently with water? What is in them that makes them react this way?
In: 1
so alkali metals have 1 electron in their outermost shell.
Their nucleus does not have a lot of attraction to that far out there single electron.
Meaning, when a more electro-negative element like chlorine (sodium and chlorine make salt), or in this case Oxygen is around the sodium is SUPER ready to react when those other elements and get rid of that burdensome electron.
It is so ready that it even “pushes” one of the hydrogens in the water molecule out of the way so that it can take it’s place bonding with the water molecule. splitting it up into OH and a lone hydrogen atom.
Forming NaOH (or replace Na with any other alkali metal).
also, because it is bumping a bunch of hydrogen atoms free, this releases hydrogen gas which is flammable and can be ignited by the heat of the chemical reaction. making any bursts of flame you see along with the explosive release of gas.
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