How do you write "calcium + nitrogen - calcium nitride"?

Question

How do you write "calcium + nitrogen -> calcium nitride"?

Serenity Allen · Accepted Answer

#3Ca_((s)) + N_(2(g)) -> Ca_3N_(2(s))#

Calcium is a metal, so its formula will simply be #"Ca"# .

Nitrogen is a diatomic molecular compound, making it #"N"_2# .

Since calcium nitride is an ionic compound, by evaluating its constituent ions we can determine its formula. The calcium ion is a 2+ ion, or #"Ca"^(2+)#. The nitride ion is a 3- ion, or #"N"^(3-)"#. As such, to balance the charges we require 3x calcium ions for every 2x nitride ions, or #"Ca"_3"N"_2#.

#:. Ca_((s)) + N_(2(g)) -> Ca_3N_(2(s))#

Balancing the equation, then, you will notice that the number of nitrogens on each side balances However, on the left side of the equation we have #1# calcium, and on the right we have #3#. We can balance this simply by increasing the number of calciums on the left to #3#, as demonstrated in the answer above.

In addition, I have included the states of each reactant and the product at room temperature; however, these cannot be verified as accurate without additional information on reaction conditions, so I advise excluding them unless further guidance is received.

Although calling these species "calciums" and similar terms may sound strange, it's important to remember that we don't always talk about atoms when we discuss these kinds of species; in this instance, we might also be referring to the ions on the right side of the equation.

Axel Alvarado · Answer

undefined Ca + N2 → Ca3N2

How do you write "calcium + nitrogen -&gt; calcium nitride"?

How do you write "calcium + nitrogen -> calcium nitride"?