Write the formula for magnesium nitride.
A Mg3N2
B Mg2N3
C Mg(NO2)2
D Mg(NO3)2
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct formula for magnesium nitride is:
A) Mg₃N₂
Explanation:
- Understanding the Elements Involved
- Magnesium (Mg) is a metal from Group 2 of the periodic table, known as the alkaline earth metals. It has a +2 charge as an ion (Mg²⁺).
- Nitrogen (N) is a non-metal from Group 15 and typically forms a -3 charge as an ion (N³⁻).
- Balancing the Charges
- For a compound to be stable, the total positive charge must balance the total negative charge.
- Magnesium ion (Mg²⁺) has a +2 charge.
- Nitride ion (N³⁻) has a -3 charge.
- The lowest common multiple of 2 and 3 is 6, so we need:
- Three Mg²⁺ ions (3 × +2 = +6)
- Two N³⁻ ions (2 × -3 = -6)
- This balances the charges, forming Mg₃N₂.
- Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- B) Mg₂N₃: Incorrect because the ratio does not balance the charges properly.
- C) Mg(NO₂)₂: This represents magnesium nitrite, which contains the nitrite ion (NO₂⁻), not the nitride ion.
- D) Mg(NO₃)₂: This represents magnesium nitrate, which contains the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻), not the nitride ion.
Conclusion:
Magnesium nitride forms when magnesium reacts with nitrogen gas, commonly used in certain industrial applications. The correct formula is Mg₃N₂.
Here is an image representation of the formula and structure of magnesium nitride:
Here is an image representation of the molecular structure of magnesium nitride (Mg₃N₂). It illustrates how three magnesium (Mg²⁺) ions are bonded with two nitride (N³⁻) ions, showing the ionic nature of the compound.