🧪 Sodium + Chlorine = A Reaction You See Every Day (But Might Not Realize!)
Have you ever seen a reaction between sodium and chlorine ? It’s wild! It might look like something’s exploding or burning, but let’s slow it down and figure out what’s really going on . 🔥 Is it Combustion? Not Quite... At first glance, this reaction between sodium and chlorine might make you want to scream “COMBUSTION!” — especially because sodium burns with a bright yellow flame when exposed to chlorine gas. It’s dramatic, flashy, and definitely eye-catching! BUT… this isn’t a combustion reaction. ❌ Let’s talk about why. 🌬 What Do Combustion Reactions Need? Remember, for a reaction to be classified as combustion , there are three key ingredients: A fuel (like a hydrocarbon or metal) Oxygen (O₂) A release of energy (usually as heat and light) Let’s pause on that second point: oxygen . For a true combustion reaction, oxygen gas ( O₂ ) must be present and reacting . So here’s a quick quiz for you: Does this reaction between sodium and chlorine include O₂ ?...