EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Sodium, potassium, and lithium are very reactive metals and react vigorously with air as well as water. Therefore, they are kept immersed in kerosene oil in order to prevent their contact with air and moisture.

Detailed explanation-2: -Sodium metal is highly reactive with water generating flammable hydrogen gas and sufficient heat to cause ignition. It is essential that sodium is stored so that it cannot come into contact with water, including moisture in the atmosphere. Sodium is usually supplied under paraffin oil or under kerosene.

Detailed explanation-3: -Sodium is stored in kerosene because sodium reacts vigourously with oxygen and moisture due to its high reactivity so keeping it in kerosene will prevent sodium from coming in contact with oxygen and moisture.

Detailed explanation-4: -Sodium is an extremely reactive metal. It reacts so violently with the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture in the air that it may even start a fire. Sodium does not react with kerosene oil. So, Sodium is kept immersed in kerosene oil to prevent this explosive reaction.