Sodium and other alkali explosions finally explained

Literally History on Instagram: "When a pound of sodium is dumped into water, the reaction is instant and explosive. Sodium is an alkali metal, and when it comes into contact with water, it reacts violently, producing sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas can ignite from the heat of the reaction, creating flames and sometimes even an explosion. What makes it so dramatic is the sheer amount—one pound of sodium is far more than the tiny bits usually used in controlled experiments. In