Question

Nitrogen gas is used as an inert atmosphere in electric lamps.

1. Explain in terms of structure and bonding why nitrogen gas is so stable.
2. Give a reason why despite this stability nitrogen reacts with burning magnesium metal.

Answer 1

1. The atoms of Nitrogen are bonded by three strong covalent bonds which need a lot of energy to break. 
2. Burning Magnesium releases a lot of heat energy which gets absorbed by the Nitrogen molecule breaking the triple covalent bond.