Re: [ATM] Need a Chemistry guru! OT

[Dominic-Luc Webb <dlwebb@canit.se>]

# The basic reaction is: 6NaOH(aq) + 3Al(s) + 3H2O -->
# 2Al(OH)3(aq) + 3 Na2O + 3H2(g).

No! I don't think so, and don't think a guru is needed just yet.
This is not a balanced equation, and even if it was, the
product Na2O makes no sense.

Try this:

2NaOH + 2Al + 2H2O  --->   2Na + 2AlO2- + 3H2

These reactions are quite exothermic. You might be getting
steam as a gas. You might also be getting some more
complicated species like aluminate ion, which is considerably
more complicated. Be careful with these reactions. Some reaction
of aluminum (e.g., thermite) are quite explosive. I can
appreciate why some ATMs would be interested in these reactions,
but really one should lean on side of safety first.

Dominic

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