Question

The products formed when heavy water is reacted with magnesium nitride, are: (a) \(\mathrm{ND}_{3}, \mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OD})_{2}\) (b) \(\mathrm{ND}_{3}, \mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) (c) \(\mathrm{NH}_{3}, \mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\) (d) \(\mathrm{NH}_{3}, \mathrm{Mg}(\mathrm{OD})_{2}\)

Short answer

The products are ND_3 and Mg(OD)_2, so the correct answer is (a).

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Reaction

Identify the chemical reaction involved. Heavy water (D, instead of regular H in water) reacts with magnesium nitride (Mg_3N_2) to form deuterated ammonia and a magnesium compound.

Understand Reactants

The reactants in this problem are heavy water (D_2O) and magnesium nitride (Mg_3N_2). Heavy water is similar to regular water, but the hydrogen is replaced by deuterium (D). Magnesium nitride will react with water to form ammonia and magnesium hydroxide.

Determine Products in the Reaction

When magnesium nitride reacts with heavy water, it forms deuterated ammonia (ND_3) due to the presence of deuterium, and magnesium deuteroxide (Mg(OD)_2). The deuterium in heavy water replaces regular hydrogen, resulting in the deuterated products.

Formulate the Chemical Equation

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is: \[Mg_3N_2 + 6D_2O ightarrow 2ND_3 + 3Mg(OD)_2\] This equation shows that each molecule of Mg_3N_2 reacts with six molecules of D_2O to produce two molecules of deuterated ammonia and three molecules of magnesium deuteroxide.

Identify the Correct Option

The equation shows the products formed are ND_3 and Mg(OD)_2, which corresponds to option (a).

Key concepts

Deuterated Compounds

Deuterated compounds are a fascinating variation of common substances where the hydrogen atom is replaced with deuterium. Deuterium is a stable isotope of hydrogen and is denoted by the symbol \(D\). Its nucleus contains one proton and one neutron, making it twice as heavy as ordinary hydrogen, which has no neutrons.

Deuterated water, known as heavy water, is a prime example. It is chemically symbolized as \(D_2O\), wherein both hydrogen atoms in a water molecule are replaced with deuterium. This substitution results in slight differences in chemical behavior and physical properties compared to normal water.

The reaction of heavy water with other chemicals, like magnesium nitride, results in deuterated products. In this reaction, the deuterium from heavy water integrates into the product, forming deuterated ammonia \(\text{ND}_3\) and magnesium deuteroxide \(\text{Mg(OD)}_2\), where the OH groups of magnesium hydroxide are replaced by OD groups.

Magnesium Nitride

Magnesium nitride, with the formula \(\text{Mg}_3\text{N}_2\), is a compound consisting of magnesium and nitrogen. It has a distinct crystalline structure and is part of a class of materials known as nitrides.

In chemical reactions, magnesium nitride is a reactive compound, especially with water. It readily reacts by breaking down and forming ammonia and magnesium compounds. This reactivity makes it useful in various industrial processes.

When magnesium nitride interacts with heavy water \(\text{D}_2\text{O}\), a special chemical reaction takes place, resulting in the formation of deuterated ammonia \(\text{ND}_3\) and magnesium deuteroxide \(\text{Mg(OD)}_2\). This process is utilized in certain synthesis reactions to produce deuterated compounds useful for research and specialized applications.

Chemical Equations

Chemical equations are symbolic representations of chemical reactions. They show the reactants, products, and their respective quantities. A balanced equation ensures that the number of each type of atom is the same on both sides of the equation, maintaining the principle of mass conservation.

Consider the reaction: \[\text{Mg}_3\text{N}_2 + 6\text{D}_2\text{O} \rightarrow 2\text{ND}_3 + 3\text{Mg(OD)}_2\] This equation describes the reaction of magnesium nitride with heavy water, resulting in deuterated ammonia and magnesium deuteroxide.

Key observations from this equation:

• Magnesium nitride \(\text{Mg}_3\text{N}_2\) is the initial reactant.
• Heavy water \(\text{D}_2\text{O}\) supplies deuterium to the reaction.
• The equation balances with 6 molecules of heavy water interacting with one molecule of magnesium nitride.
• Products formed include 2 molecules of \(\text{ND}_3\) and 3 molecules of \(\text{Mg(OD)}_2\).

Understanding and balancing chemical equations is essential in chemistry to predict the outcomes of reactions and ensure correct proportions of reactants and products.