The balanced equation for the chemical reaction between sodium metal (Na) and water (H₂O) is the following:
2 Na(s) + 2 H₂O → 2 NaOH(aq) + H₂(g)
From the equation, we can see that 2 moles of Na react with 2 moles of H₂O to give 2 moles of NaOH and 1 mol of H₂ (hydrogen gas). So the stoichiometric mole ratio between Na and H₂ is: 2 mol Na/1 mol H₂. Thus, we multiply the mole ratio by the moles of H₂ to be produced to obtain the moles of Na required:
moles of Na required = 2 mol Na/1 mol H₂ x 154 moles H₂ = 308 moles Na
Therefore, 308 moles of sodium are needed to produce 154 moles of hydrogen gas.
