Thread: What are the formulas of these two compounds? What type of bonding exists in each?

MgO and Mg3N2. bonding ionic i think

When magnesium metal is burned in air, two different products are made. One is magnesium oxide and the other is magnesium nitride. What are the formulas of these two compounds? What type of bonding exists in each.

Using a very fine magnesium wire, the reaction temperature is not very hot and almost all of the magnesium will react with the oxygen. If a ribbon of magnesium metal is burned, the temperature is hotter. Now two reactions are possible.

The majority of the magnesium reacts with the oxygen:
2Mg + O2 --> 2MgO

A small amount of magnesium will react with the nitrogen in the air to give th nitride:
3Mg + N2--> Mg3N2

Both the oxide and the nitride seem to be ionic in nature. Both react with the water vapor in the air.

Well, it's definately ionic bonding. Myself, I have never heard of producing magnesium nitride. I suppose it is possible. Both would be ionic.