Question

A magnesium ribbon is burnt in oxygen to give a white compound ‘X’ accompanied by emission of light. If the burning ribbon is now placed in an atmosphere of nitrogen, it continues to burn and forms a compound ‘Y’.

1. Write the chemical formulae of X and Y.
2. Write a balanced chemical equations when X and Y are dissolved in water.

Answer 1

1. The Compound ‘X’ is magnesium oxide (MgO). The compound ‘Y’ is magnesium nitride (Mg₃N₂)
2. `underset((X))("MgO"("s")) + "H"_2"O"("l") -> "Mg"("OH")_2("s")`
   `underset(("Y"))("Mg"_3"N"_2("s")) + 6"H"_2"O"("l") -> 3"Mg"("OH")_2("s") + 2"NH"_3("g")`