Which forces drive chemical reactions, and what takes place on a quantum level? In particular, what happens when water interacts with sodium? [Translated from Russian by physicist A. Vikman.] ...

A group of, shall we say, “amateur scientists” posted a video earlier this month when they found out what happens when you toss a chunk of solid sodium into a river. The reactions, both from ...

Sodium is one of the highly reactive alkali metals. In its pure form, the soft, shiny metal reacts in water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. Oh, and lots of heat—enough that the hydrog ...