Solving Chemical Reactions: Helium, Hydrogen & Displacement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around various chemical reactions and classifications of elements, particularly focusing on a specific reaction involving silica and sodium carbonate, as well as the properties and classifications of helium, hydrogen, and argon. The scope includes theoretical questions, conceptual clarifications, and some homework-related inquiries.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the balancing of the reaction SiO2 + Na2CO3 = Na2SiO3 + CO2, specifically asking about the separation of CO2 and the fate of an oxygen atom.
  • Another participant asserts that the reaction is balanced and explains that CO2 is produced due to the acidic nature of silica in relation to sodium carbonate, which is a base.
  • There is a discussion about helium being classified as a noble gas and its lack of reactivity due to its filled electron orbitals.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the classification of argon as a non-metal, with one participant stating that it is a noble gas and questioning the definitions.
  • One participant mentions that hydrogen does not exhibit metallic characteristics and is not strictly placed in group 1, suggesting it lies between groups 2 and 3.
  • Displacement reactions are discussed, with one participant stating that they typically occur between metals and non-metals, while another questions the occurrence of such reactions involving a metal displacing a non-metal.
  • There is a contention regarding the classification of noble gases as non-metals, with participants referencing textbooks and expressing differing views on the matter.
  • A later reply suggests that noble gases may also be classified as non-metals, but provides a link to an article that complicates the understanding further.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement, particularly regarding the classification of argon and the nature of displacement reactions. The discussion remains unresolved on several points, especially concerning the definitions and classifications of noble gases and non-metals.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the clarity of definitions and classifications, as well as the assumptions made about the reactions and their environments. Some mathematical steps and chemical principles remain unresolved or are subject to interpretation.

smhaq
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Pls solve my problem quickly as i am junior, i am not expert in solving these:
SiO2 + Na2CO3=Na2SiO3 +CO2
So how do CO2 get separated from products,and where did the 1 oxygen atom go, Is this equation needed to be balanced.

Why is helium placed in the group of noble gases? Do it reacts?
Why is hydrogen a non metal, if it is placed in 1a group?
Do displacement reactions only take place between a metal and a non metal and do it only displaces non metal?
How could be argon a non metal if it is a noble gas?
 
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Your silica-silicate reaction is balanced as written. You showed 5 oxygens on the left side and 5 oxygens on the rightside (recheck and count them.) The carbon dioxide becomes a product because sodium carbonate is a base and the silica may be acidic in relation to it; this is not in aqueous environment. What happens when you dissolve sodium carbonate in water and then add a bunch of acid? Carbon Dioxide bubbles out from it. In your silicate situation, the reaction is not in solution of water.

Look how you 'neutralize' Na2CO3:
[tex]\[<br /> Na_2 CO_3 + 2H^ + \to H_2 CO_3 + 2Na^ + <br /> \][/tex]

Depending on temperature and concentration, the carbonic acid in water may not remain dissolved very long:
[tex]\[<br /> H_2 CO_3 \to H_2 O + CO_2 \uparrow <br /> \][/tex]

Helium and Argon tend not to react chemically; they are gasses, and their electron structures are responsible for lack of reactivity. If you feel the need to classify as either metal or non-metal, I guess you might say that argon is a nonmetal; but I'm not so certain about that. Unless someone knows these classifications more clearly and can tell use, I would say argon is a "noble gas", and not a nonmetal, and not a metal.
 
looks like you're leaving all your homework on us...ha ha

elements normally react to achieve rare gas configuration, that is, to complete their outermost electron orbitals. helium has already its orbitals filled...it doesn't need to react.

metals have certain properties or characteristics inherent to themselves. these include:

high B.P./M.P. (there are some exceptions, like group 1 metals)
electrical conductivity
metallic bonding/lattice
they tend to have similar reactions, such as: metal + acid,...

hydrogen doesn't show metallic characteristics... and hydrogen isn't actually placed in group 1. it lies between group 2 and group 3, just as the transition elements.

you can get displacement reactions between ions in salts:

NaCl + KNO3 -----> NaNO3 + KCl

i can't picture a reaction where a metal displaces a non metal??!

non metals have certain characteristics which are common with that of argon. you should google for these characteristics.
 
I agree with all answers you had given to me but I still has a doubt on the statement symbolipoint said that "Argon is a noble gas not a metal or a non metal". Argon is why not a non metal, It is clearly written in our textbook Argon is a noble gas and a non metal so how is it? Could anybody help me to understand?
 
WHERE is my second message about this? Actually, my last paragraph in my first message on this explains what I best wanted to say about Argon. Your book is probably correct.
 
I did n't get it clearly, "Unless some one ..."Why are you not certain about that?
 
I said this:
If you feel the need to classify as either metal or non-metal, I guess you might say that argon is a nonmetal; but I'm not so certain about that. Unless someone knows these classifications more clearly and can tell use, I would say argon is a "noble gas", and not a nonmetal, and not a metal.
, because I did not recently check about these classifications in a general or elementary chemistry textbook; therefore, you should simply trust what YOUR book tells you. Having so very long ago studied, I would view noble gasses and non-metals as exclusive classifications, but I could be wrong. for now, TRUST YOUR BOOK.

[this is a good time for me to actually find my old general chemistry book and look for this information]
 

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