Will sodium displace iron from iron oxide?

Final answer: Sodium, being more reactive than iron, can theoretically displace iron from iron oxide in a chemical reaction. However, the actual occurrence of this reaction depends on specific thermodynamic and kinetic conditions, including temperature and physical state of the reactants. Explanation: The question of whether sodium will displace iron from iron oxide pertains to the reactivity series of metals, which dictates that a more reactive metal can displace a less reactive metal from its compound. In this case, sodium is more reactive than iron, so theoretically, sodium can displace iron from iron oxide in a chemical reaction. When considering solubility rules and the reactivity of metals with water, sodium being highly reactive will react with water to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. However, for the displacement to occur, we need to consider the reaction of solid sodium with solid iron oxide, which would also depend on the reaction conditions and kinetics, such as temperature and particle size. Remember, finely divided particles react faster due to their larger surface area. Iron oxide, commonly known as rust (Fe2O3·xH2O), does not provide a tight protective film and continually flakes off, exposing fresh metal surface that is susceptible to reaction. Therefore, a piece of sodium metal could react with iron oxide to form sodium oxide and metallic iron, provided the thermodynamic and kinetic conditions are favorable for this displacement reaction to occur. It is crucial to handle this type of reaction with care, as reactions involving sodium and water are highly exothermic and can be explosive. Always conduct such reactions under controlled laboratory conditions and with appropriate safety measures in place.