Question

The following reactions are carried out:

A: Nitrogen + metal → compound X.
B: X + water → ammonia + another compound
C: Ammonia + metal oxide → metal + water + N₂

One metal that can be used for reaction A is magnesium.

1. Write the formula of the compound X formed.
2. Write the correctly balanced equation for reaction B where X is the compound formed.
3. What property of ammonia is demonstrated by reaction C?

Answer 1

Magnesium metal is heated, and \[\ce{N2}\] gas is passed over it, and magnesium nitrate is formed.

A: \[\ce{3Mg + N2 -> \underset{Magnesium nitride}{\underset{(Pale yellow residue)}{Mg3N2}}}\]

1. The formula of the compound X is \[\ce{Mg3N2}\].
2. B: X + water → ammonia + another compound
   Balanced equation:
   ∴ \[\ce{Mg3N2 + 6H2O -> 3Mg(OH)2 + 2NH3 ↑ (g)}\]
3. C : Ammonia + Metal oxide → Metal + Water + Nitrogen
   \[\ce{2NH3 + 3MgO -> 3Mg + 3H2O + N2}\]
   This reaction shows that Ammonia is a strong reducing agent and reduces less active metal oxide to its respective metal.