Which reaction takes place preferentially and why?

Explanation

To determine which reaction takes place preferentially and why, we need to analyze the standard reduction potentials (SRP) of the involved species. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step 1: Identify the reactions
We have two reactions to consider:
1. **Oxidation of Sodium**:
\[ \text{Na} \rightarrow \text{Na}^+ + 2e^- \]
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