The chemical equation for the reaction between lactic acid and sodium
In the wonderful world of chemistry, the reactions between various substances are like wonderful magic performances. Today, let's take a look at the interesting reactions that occur between lactic acid and sodium, as well as the chemical equations for their reactions.
Lactic acid, that name sounds quite unique. It is actually very common in our lives, like yogurt which contains lactic acid. The chemical formula of lactic acid is C ∝ H ₆ O ∝, and it is an organic acid. Organic acids are a type of compound that contains carboxyl groups (COOH) in its molecular structure. The carboxyl group of lactic acid plays a very important role, as it allows lactic acid to exhibit some special chemical properties.
Let's take a look at sodium again. Sodium is a lively metallic element. Its chemical symbol is Na. Sodium easily reacts with oxygen in the air, causing the surface to become dull. If sodium is put into water, the reaction can be intense, it will swim quickly and make a hissing sound. This is because sodium reacts with water to produce sodium hydroxide and hydrogen gas.
When lactic acid meets sodium, it's like two friends with different personalities meeting each other and undergoing wonderful changes. The carboxyl group (COOH) in lactic acid has acidity and can provide hydrogen ions (H ⁺). And sodium, on the other hand, really wants to give away its extra electron and become stable. So, the hydrogen ions in sodium and lactic acid reacted.
Specifically, sodium (Na) will donate one of its electrons to the hydrogen ion (H ⁺) in lactic acid. After obtaining electrons, hydrogen ions become hydrogen gas (H ₂) and run out. And sodium loses electrons and becomes sodium ions (NaE). After losing hydrogen ions, the remaining part of lactic acid combines with sodium ions. After removing a hydrogen ion, lactic acid becomes a lactate ion (C ∝ H ₅ O ∝⁻). Sodium ions (NaE) combine with lactate ions (C3H ₅ O3 ⁻) to form sodium lactate (C3H ₅ O3 Na).
So, the chemical equation for the reaction between lactic acid and sodium is: 2C ∝ H ₆ O3+2Na → 2C ∝ H ₅ O3 Na+H ₂ ↑.

Do you think this equation succinctly describes the reaction process between them? From this equation, we can clearly understand the changes in the substance before and after the reaction. On the left are two lactic acid molecules and two sodium atoms, and after the reaction, two sodium lactate molecules and one hydrogen gas molecule are generated on the right.
Let's analyze this reaction carefully. Firstly, from the perspective of reaction type, this is a displacement reaction. Permutation reaction is a reaction between a substance and a compound to produce another substance and another compound. Here, sodium is a simple substance and lactic acid is a compound. After the reaction, hydrogen gas and sodium lactate compounds are generated.
Let's talk about the phenomenon of reactions. If we actually operate this reaction in the laboratory, we can see some interesting phenomena. When sodium is placed in a lactic acid solution, bubbles will appear on the surface of the sodium block, which is the generated hydrogen gas escaping. The sodium block will gradually shrink and eventually disappear. The solution may undergo some changes due to the generation of sodium lactate, such as changes in the properties of the solution, such as acidity, conductivity, etc.
Sodium lactate also has many uses in daily life. It can be used as a food additive, such as seasoning and preservation in some foods. In the field of medicine, sodium lactate also has its place. It can be used to regulate the acid-base balance in the human body. When there is a problem with the body's acid-base balance, sodium lactate can play its regulatory role, restoring the body to a normal acid-base environment.
By studying the reaction between lactate and sodium, we not only learned an important chemical knowledge, but also gained insight into the applications of related substances in daily life. Chemistry is like this, closely linking microscopic reactions with macroscopic life. In the future, when we see sodium lactate or encounter similar chemical substances and reactions, we will understand the mystery behind it. Maybe one day we can use this knowledge to solve some practical problems, such as developing new food preservation methods or researching better pharmaceutical formulas. So, isn't chemistry very interesting? Let's continue exploring this surprising world of chemistry!