2 Al + 2 NaOH + 6 H₂O → 2 Na[Al(OH)₄] + 3 H₂
Explanation:
* Reactants: Aluminum (Al) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) are the reactants in this reaction.
* Products: Sodium tetrahydroxoaluminate(III) (Na[Al(OH)₄]) and hydrogen gas (H₂) are the products of this reaction.
* Balancing: The equation is balanced by ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation.
Important Notes:
* This reaction is exothermic, meaning it releases heat.
* The reaction occurs in the presence of water.
* The sodium tetrahydroxoaluminate(III) formed is a soluble salt.
This reaction is commonly used for the industrial production of aluminum hydroxide, which is a key component in many products such as paper, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.
