Magnesium reacts with nitrogen to form magnesium nitride. The chemical formula for this reaction is #Mg+N_2-> MgN_2#. What is the product, or what are the products, of this reaction?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 12, 2016

The formula for magnesium nitride is #Mg_3N_2#.

Explanation:

As do many active metals, magnesium nitride can be formed by heating the metal (fiercely!) under dinitrogen gas:

#3Mg + N_2 stackrel(Delta)rarr Mg_3N_2#

As a nitride it can by hydrolyzed by water to form magnesium hydroxide and ammonia gas:

#Mg_3N_2(s) + 6H_2O(l) rarr 3Mg(OH)_2(aq) + 2NH_3(aq)#

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