Name the metal which is kept in kerosene and why?

Answer: Because sodium is a highly reactive metal, it is kept in kerosene. It easily reacts with oxygen and catches fire if left out in the open. It will not react with kerosene because it is made up of hydrocarbons.

Water should not be used to store salt because the interactions between sodium and water are highly exothermic. Because of the heat released during the reaction, hydrogen gas is produced, which ignites. Sodium is a metal with a high degree of reactivity.