The fluoride rinse in dental offices usually contains sodium fluoride. Sodium fluoride can be prepared from the reaction between sodium metal and fluorine gas. Which properly represents the balanced chemical equation for this reaction?

1. Na(s) + F2(g) → NaF2(s)
2. Na(s) + F(g) → NaF(s)
3. 7Na(s) + F(g) → Na7F(s)
4. 2Na(s) + F2(g) → 2Na2F(s)
5. 2Na(s) + F2(g) → 2NaF(s)

Why is it important to understand this equation? What do you think could happen if this is incorrect?

Comment 1

The fluoride rinse in dental offices usually contains sodium fluoride. Sodium fluoride can be prepared from the reaction between sodium metal and fluorine gas. Which properly represents the balanced chemical equation for this reaction?

A.Na(s) + F2(g) → NaF2(s)

B.Na(s) + F(g) → NaF(s)

C.7Na(s) + F(g) → Na7F(s)

D.2Na(s) + F2(g) → 2Na2F(s)

E.2Na(s) + F2(g) → 2NaF(s)

The correct answer is E.

Why is it important to understand this equation? What do you think could happen if this is incorrect?

It is very important to understand the equation because the proper balance of reactants will produce a product that will be fitting for the chemical balance. Flourine is a diatomic gas, reason being, F₂ indicate the reaction. Na combined with F is a sodium fluoride, Na alone is just a sodium. To balance the equation, 2Na (s) + F₂ (g) = 2NaF (s). An incorrect chemical balance will result in a product that is undesirable or inaccurate for the usage intended. It can result to a possible harm to the patient.

Comment 2

The correct balanced chemical equation is E. Sodium metal is an alkali metal with a positive charge of 1 which is also considered an cation. Fluorine gas’ formula is F2. In order to make it a balanced equation 2 must be multiplied to Na on the produce side. Therefore, the balanced equation is letter E.

It is important to understand how to properly balance a chemical especially if it involves highly reactive halogen like fluorine. Not only is fluorine a halogen and it has a negative charge of one, but it also has an extreme ability to attract electrons per Viktor Gutmannn, Karl Christe, and Stefan Schneider(2020).

If the equation is improperly balanced then one can not derive the relationship between the product and reactant. It can also contradict the law of conservation of mass which states that matter can neither be created nor destroyed ( Tro, 2019).

References:

Gutman, V., Christe, K., Schneider, S. (2020, January 21). Halogen chemical group. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/halogen

Tro, N.J (2019) Introductory chemistry. Harlow, Essex: Pearson Education Limited