Question

Magnesium ribbon burns in an atmosphere of both nitrogen and $N_{2}O$. Explain.

Answer 1

The atmospheric nitrogen is generally, inert and the burning of $Mg$ ribbon provides high temperature, which makes $N$ to react with $Mg$ and form Magnesium Nitride, ${Mg}_3{N}_2$.

$3Mg+N_2⟶{Mg}_3{N}_2$

In atmosphere of ${NO}_2$

$Mg+{NO}_2\underset{}{\overset{\Delta }{\to }}MgO+NO$

Magnesium ribbon burns in an atmosphere of both nitrogen and ${NO}_2$ because it reacts with both the gases.