When Lithium () and Magnesium () are burnt in dry air, they exhibit a strong diagonal relationship i — s Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Air is a mixture of $O_2$ and $N_2$. Because of their small size and high lattice energies of their nitrides, both Lithium and Magnesium react directly with $N_2$ upon heating, forming $Li_3N$ and $Mg_3N_2$ alongside their respective monoxides ($Li_2O$ and $MgO$). Other alkali metals do not react with $N_2$.