Formation of Sodium Oxides

When sodium is heated in excess of oxygen, various sodium oxides can be formed depending on the conditions:

- NaO: This is not a stable compound and is not typically formed when sodium is heated in excess of oxygen.
- NaO2: This is a possible compound that can form when sodium is heated in excess of oxygen. It is known as sodium peroxide.
- Na2O: This is the most common compound formed when sodium is heated in excess of oxygen. It is known as sodium oxide and is a stable white solid.

Explanation

When sodium metal is heated in the presence of excess oxygen, the metal reacts with oxygen to form oxides. The most common oxide formed is sodium oxide (Na2O). This is because sodium has a +1 oxidation state, while oxygen has a -2 oxidation state. Therefore, in order to balance the charges, two sodium ions combine with one oxygen ion to form Na2O.

Sodium peroxide (NaO2) can also be formed in certain conditions, where sodium is in excess and oxygen is limited. This compound is less stable than sodium oxide and is a darker solid.

In conclusion, when sodium is heated in excess of oxygen, the most likely compound to be formed is sodium oxide (Na2O), with sodium peroxide (NaO2) being a possible but less common product.

If sodium is heated in air or excess of oxygen, the main product is Na2O2 (sodium peroxide): 2Na + O2 = 2Na2O2. ... Since, sodium is a very reactive metal,