A white solid is either Na_(2)O or Na_(2)O_(2) . A piece of red litmus paper turns white when it is dipped into a freshly made aqueous solution of the white solid. (i) Identify the substance and explain with balanced equation. (ii) Explain what would happen to the red litmus if the white solid were the other compound .

A white solid is either Na_(2)O or Na_(2)O_(2) . A piece of red litmus

1.	A white solid is either Na_(2)O or Na_(2)O_(2) . A piece of red litmus paper turns white when it is dipped into a freshly made aqueous solution of the white solid. (i) Identify the substance and explain with balanced equation. (ii) Explain what would happen to the red litmus if the white solid were the other compound .
Answer» SOLUTION :(i) `Na_(2)O_(2) + 2H_(2)O to 2NaOH + H_(2)O_(2)` `H_(2)O_(2)` thus produced turns red litmus PAPER white due to its bleaching action. (ii) `Na_(2)O + H_(2)O to 2NaOH` NaOH thus produced will turn red litmus blue.