Question

Why are sodium and potassium kept in kerosene oil?

Answer 1

Hint: Sodium and potassium are highly reactive metals. They react vigorously with air and water. A large amount of heat is produced in their reaction.

Complete step by step answer:
Sodium$\left( {Na} \right)$ and potassium$\left( K \right)$ are highly reactive metals. They react rapidly with air and water. When they are exposed to air or water they catch fire because a large amount of heat is evolved in this reaction and due to the presence of hydrogen it catches fire easily. Due to this fire explosions may also take place. To avoid such accidents these metals are kept immersed in kerosene oil.

Additional information: Sodium is a soft metal. It is highly reactive, and has a low melting point. As seen from a commercial point of view sodium is the most important among all of the alkaline metals. It reacts violently with water, snow, ice to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. Metallic sodium when exposed to air loses its silvery appearance and acquires an opaque grey color due to formation of sodium oxide coating. Sodium does not react with nitrogen not even at high temperature but it reacts with ammonia to form sodium amide. Sodium in its metallic form is very important in making esters and in the manufacture of organic compounds. $NaCl$ a very important compound used in our daily life also contains sodium. Sodium carbonate is needed to make glass. In the earth crust sodium is the sixth most abundant element. Most important sodium salts found in nature are sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, sodium borate, sodium nitrate and sodium sulfate. Sodium is a compound of many foodstuffs, for instance of common salt. It is necessary for humans to maintain the balance of the physical fluid system. Sodium powder is highly explosive in water and a poison combined and uncombined with many other elements.

Note: In place of kerosene oil turpentine oil can also be used. And these metals should also be protected from direct sunlight.