Sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃) reacts with water (H₂O) to form a slightly basic solution. This reaction is an example of hydrolysis, where a salt reacts with water to produce an acidic or basic solution.

Here's the chemical equation for the reaction:

Na₂SO₃(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ 2Na⁺(aq) + SO₃²⁻(aq) + H₂O(l)

Explanation:

* Sodium sulfite (Na₂SO₃) dissolves in water to form sodium ions (Na⁺) and sulfite ions (SO₃²⁻).

* Sulfite ions (SO₃²⁻) are the conjugate base of the weak acid, bisulfite ion (HSO₃⁻). They react with water molecules to form bisulfite ions (HSO₃⁻) and hydroxide ions (OH⁻).

* Hydroxide ions (OH⁻) make the solution slightly basic.

Overall Reaction:

The overall reaction can be simplified as:

SO₃²⁻(aq) + H₂O(l) ⇌ HSO₃⁻(aq) + OH⁻(aq)

Important Note:

The reaction is an equilibrium reaction. This means that the reaction proceeds in both directions, with the forward reaction being slightly favored. As a result, the solution will be slightly basic, but not strongly so.