A magnesium ribbon is burnt in oxygen to give a white compound X accompanied by emission of light. If the burning ribbon is now placed in an atmosphere of nitrogen, it continues to burn and forms a compound Y.
(a) Write the chemical formulae of X and Y.
(b) Write a balanced chemical equation, when X is dissolved in water.

Explanation

(a) The compound 'X' is magnesium oxide (MgO). The compound 'Y' is magnesium nitride `Mg_(3)N_(2))`
(b) `underset((X))(MgO) (s) + H_(2)O (l) to Mg(OH)_(2) (s)`
`underset((Y))(Mg_(3)N_(2)) (s) + 6H_(2)O (l) to 3Mg(OH)_(2) (s) + 2NH_(3) (g)`