When solid sodium hydride, NaH, is added to water, the hydride ion reacts according to the following equation - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2009 - Paper 1
Question 7
When solid sodium hydride, NaH, is added to water, the hydride ion reacts according to the following equation.
$$H^-(aq) + H_2O(l) \rightarrow OH^-(aq) + H_2(g)$$
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Worked Solution & Example Answer:When solid sodium hydride, NaH, is added to water, the hydride ion reacts according to the following equation - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2009 - Paper 1
Step 1
This reaction can be classified as
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Answer
The reaction presents characteristics of both acid-base and oxidation-reduction processes. In this reaction, the hydride ion (H−) acts as a base by accepting a proton (H+) from water, producing hydroxide ions (OH−). This highlights the acid-base nature of the reaction. Additionally, the conversion of H− to H2(g) demonstrates a reduction process, as the hydride ion is oxidized to diatomic hydrogen. Therefore, the correct classification for this reaction is:
D. neither acid-base nor oxidation-reduction.
Since the hydride ion reaction specifically indicates proton donation and electron transfer, it does not solely fit into the categories provided.