Reaction Prediction - Is there a reaction?

AnomalyCoder

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
sodium oxide plus water --> ?
Is there a reaction?

2. Relevant equations
sodium oxide plus water yield sodium hydroxide


3. The attempt at a solution
Na2O + H2O --> 2NaOH

I don't understand whether or not there is a reaction. The problem does not give any states of matter, so how can I determine whether or not there is in fact a reaction?

Bipolarity

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Chemical_e...dium_hydroxide

AnomalyCoder

I was hoping for something a little more general, Bipolarity.
As in, how can one tell whether or not there is a reaction, without googling to find out.

Bipolarity

Metal oxides are basic, particularly those of the Group I and Group II metals. This means they produce hydroxides when dissolved in water.

So you have,
Metal oxide + Water --> Metal hydroxide

BiP