Why SODIUM (Na) metal is stored in KEROSENE OIL?

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SODIUM (Na) is highly reactive metal. Even it reacts with traces of oxygen and minor moisture on bare hands and this reaction is highly exothermic cause blister if pick with bare hands. 

So Sodium cannot be kept in open air. We have to store it in kerosene oil which in nonreactive liquid for sodium and other active metals. Kerosene oil layer act as barrier for water and oxygen (air) to come in contact to sodium.
 
Following frequent exothermic reactions occur if sodium Na comes in contact of air and water.

Sodium  & water → sodium hydroxide & Hydrogen

NaIs) + H2O(l) →NaOH(aq) + H2(g)

Sodium + Oxygen → sodium Oxide

4Na + O2 →2Na2O

Sodium oxide further reacts with more oxygen to form yellowish solid sodium peroxide, but forms in traces.

2Na2O + O2 → 2Na2O2 (traces)

Most of sodium oxide reacts with water gives sodium hydroxide.

 Na2O + H2O→2NaOH

Sodium hydroxide further reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide gives sodium carbonate.

2NaOH + CO2 → Na2 CO3  + H2 O

Hence, to avoid these above reactions sodium is kept in kerosene oil.

 

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