Balance Na + O₂ → Na₂O
4 Na(s) + O₂(g) → 2 Na₂O(s)
Balance an equation
4Na(s)+O₂(g)→2Na₂O(s)
Balanced
Atoms on each side
| Atom | As writtenleft : right | Balancedleft : right |
|---|---|---|
| Na | 1:2 | 4:4 |
| O | 2:1 | 2:2 |
Check atoms
How to balance it, step by step
- Count the atoms of each element on both sides, as written.
- Start with the biggest formula, Na₂O: put 1 in front of it.
- Na: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of Na.
- O: 1 on the right. Put 1/2 in front of O₂ (1/2 × 2 = 1).
- Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2.
- Check: Na 4 = 4, O 2 = 2. Balanced.
What happens
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Sodium tarnishes at once in air as it forms sodium oxide. It is kept under kerosene to stop this.
Sodium and oxygen: quick answers
What is the balanced equation for sodium and oxygen?
4 Na(s) + O₂(g) → 2 Na₂O(s). The coefficients are 4, 1 and 2. Each side then has 4 Na and 2 O.
What type of reaction is sodium and oxygen?
It is a combination reaction: two or more substances join to form a single product. Sodium tarnishes at once in air as it forms sodium oxide. It is kept under kerosene to stop this.
How do you balance Na + O₂ → Na₂O?
Start with the biggest formula, Na₂O: put 1 in front of it. Na: 2 on the right. Put 2 in front of Na. O: 1 on the right. Put 1/2 in front of O₂ (1/2 × 2 = 1). Clear the fraction: multiply every coefficient by 2. Never change a subscript, because that would change the substance.