Equation

[MJFan101]

Does anyone know how to write this equation?
Solid zinc nitride from solid zinc and nitrogen gas.

[MJFan101]

I think I know how it may be written
but I am not sure which one would be the correct one????????
Zn(s) + N2(g) = Zn3N2(s)

OR

Zn(s)+N2(g)=Zn(No3)2(s)

[factor-fiction]

Neither of these balance.
The second suggestion doesn't make any sense to me. Where does the NO come from?

[factor-fiction]

Could be:
3Zn+ N₂→ Zn₃N₂
But are you sure it is made in this way?

[Graham-W]

The formula for Zinc Nitride is Zn3N2, so:
3Zn +N2 = Zn3N2

[pcbpage]

Graham-W and factor30 are correct, but I don't know if zinc nitride can be made readily in this way. Lithium metal reacts with nitrogen gas at room temperature and pressure, to give lithium nitride, so in principle I suppose it is possible.

[pcbpage]

A brief survey suggests to me that it's usually made by heating zinc in ammonia gas, the other product then being hydrogen. There's a short Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinc_nitride

[Merlin3189]

Can't see that it makes any difference how the reaction takes place. The equation simply represents a summary of the results.

The states of the various materials is often (normally?) omitted. I think it is put in here just because he mentioned it specifically. I wonder if you specify these states whether you also need to include energy as part of the equation?

[pcbpage]

Well, Merlin3189, the reaction used generally to make the material is different from the reaction that MJFan101 asked about - the reaction equation would be different. Some people may be interested in this. And how reactions take place is of key importance in understanding and controlling them. The delta G/delta H/delta S values are probably out there, but I didn't look that up as MJFan101 didn't ask about the energetics. The equation is correct without mention of the energy changes involved.