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Sodium burning. A droplet of water (H2O) is dropped onto a small piece of sodium metal (Na) in a deflagrating spoon. Sodium reacts exothermically with water: Na + H2O -> NaOH + H2. Due to released heat, sodium melts, catches fire and starts to burn with characteristic yellow-orange flame. A mixture of sodium oxide (Na2O) and sodium peroxide (Na2O2) is produced : Na + O2 -> Na2O and Na + O2 -> Na2O2. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE SOURCE/GIPhotoStock)