Question 2: you have two systems: 1) solid gold and water 2) solid sodium and waterWhich one can spontaneously release energy and why?

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Solid Sodium and water will react spontaneously and release energy. This is based on the reactivity series. Sodium is a highly reactive metal and hence, it is placed at the top of the reactivity series. This is because it loses its outermost electron very readily. When it comes in contact with water, it reacts with it violently to form sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas. This reaction is exothermic and hence, accompanied with a release of energy. Gold lies at the bottom of the reactivity series as it is very stable and does not give away its outermost electrons easily. Therefore, when it comes in contact with water, there is no reaction and no release of energy.