Saline hydrides are known to react violently with water producing fire, Can CO_(2), a well known extinguisher, be used in this case? Explain.

Saline hydrides are known to react violently with water producing fire

1.	Saline hydrides are known to react violently with water producing fire, Can CO_(2), a well known extinguisher, be used in this case? Explain.
Answer» SOLUTION :Whenever a saline hydride `(NaH or CaH_(2))` reacts with water, the reaction is so HIGHLY exothermic that the hydrogen evolved catched fire. For example, `NaH(s)+H_(2)O(aq) to NaOH(aq)+H_(2)(g)+"heat"` `CaH_(2)(s)+2H_(2)O(aq) to Ca(OH)_(2)(aq)+2H_(2)(g)+"heat"` `CO_(2)` which is normally used as fire EXTINGUISHER cannot be used in this case beacuse it will react with the hydroxide formed in the reaction to form a carbonate. This will INCREASE the rate of the forward reaction in which heat is evolved. `2NaOH(aq)+CO_(2)(g) to Na_(2)CO_(3)(aq)+H_(2)(aq).`