A little water helps expose the sodium so it can react with the chlorine gas. The reaction releases a lot of heat as the ionic compound sodium chloride is formed. A sodium and chlorine atom are near ...

The positive areas of the water molecules surround the negative Chloride ions. The negative areas of the water molecules surround the positive sodium ions. As the attractions from the water molecules ...

but the electrolysis of sodium chloride is the most efficient and widely used method. The Reaction of Sodium with Water When sodium is exposed to water, a vigorous chemical reaction occurs.

2. The beaker now contains sodium chloride and water. The temperature on the thermometer has risen, meaning it is an exothermic reaction. Respiration is an exothermic reaction because it releases ...