Question

The following reactions are carried out:

A: \[\ce{Nitrogen + metal -> compound X}\]

B: \[\ce{X + water -> ammonia + another compound}\]

C: \[\ce{Ammonia + metal oxide -> metal + water + N2}\]

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 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 Mg₃N₂.
2. Balanced equation:
   \[\ce{Mg3N2 + 6H2O -> 3Mg(OH)2 + 2NH3 ↑ (g)}\]
3. \[\ce{2NH3 + 3MgO -> 3Mg + 3H2O + N2}\]
   This reaction shows that Ammonia is a strong reducing agent and reduces less active metal oxide to its respective metal.