Question

what type of compound is given below? mg3n2 ionic acid covalent

Explanation:

Ionic compounds are formed when a metal (here, magnesium \(Mg\)) transfers electrons to a non - metal (here, nitrogen \(N\)). Magnesium is a metal (Group 2 element) and nitrogen is a non - metal (Group 15 element). In \(Mg_3N_2\), magnesium loses electrons to form \(Mg^{2 + }\) ions and nitrogen gains electrons to form \(N^{3-}\) ions. The electrostatic attraction between these ions forms the ionic compound. Acids typically have \(H^+\) as the cation in their formula (e.g., \(HCl\), \(H_2SO_4\)). Covalent compounds are formed between non - metals by sharing electrons (e.g., \(CO_2\), \(H_2O\), where both elements are non - metals). Since \(Mg_3N_2\) has a metal and a non - metal with electron transfer (not sharing), it is not covalent.

Answer:

ionic