Question

Solid lithium metal and diatomic nitrogen gas react spontaneously to form a solid product. Give the balanced chemical equation (including phases) that describes this reaction.

Answer 1

Answer:

6 Li(s) + N₂(g) → 2 Li₃N(s)

Explanation:

Solid lithium metal and diatomic nitrogen gas react spontaneously to form a solid product (lithium nitride). The chemical equation is:

Li(s) + N₂(g) → Li₃N(s)

Since the atomicities in the product are odd, the easiest way to balance the equation is by first multiplying it by 2.

Li(s) + N₂(g) → 2 Li₃N(s)

The final (balanced) equation is:

6 Li(s) + N₂(g) → 2 Li₃N(s)