Question

The balanced equation for the reaction is shown below:




2Na + 2H2O -> 2NaOH + H2


Identify each substance or object below as part of the system or the surroundings.

Column A
1.
Water (H2O)

:
Water (H2O)

2.
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH):
Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)
3.
The glass beaker that reaction is taking place in.:
The glass beaker that reaction is taking place in.
4.
Sodium metal (Na):
Sodium metal (Na)
5.
Hydrogen gas (H2)

:
Hydrogen gas (H2)

6.
The air in the lab around the beaker.:
The air in the lab around the beaker.
Column B
a.Surroundings
b.System

Answer 1

To classify each substance or object as part of the system or the surroundings, we can use the definitions of a system (the part of the universe we are focusing on that includes the reactants and products of the chemical reaction) and surroundings (everything else that is not part of the system). In this case, the system includes the reactants and products involved in the chemical reaction:

**Column A:**

1. **Water (H2O)**:
**b. System**

2. **Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH)**:
**b. System**

3. **The glass beaker that the reaction is taking place in:**
**a. Surroundings**

4. **Sodium metal (Na)**:
**b. System**

5. **Hydrogen gas (H2)**:
**b. System**

6. **The air in the lab around the beaker:**
**a. Surroundings**