Which of the following is the correct chemical formula for sodium nitride?

• A. NaN3
• B. Na3N
• C. NaNO2
• D. Na2N

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the ions involved in sodium nitride. Sodium (Na) typically forms a +1 cation (Na\^+), and nitride is the anion formed from nitrogen with a charge of -3 (N\^{3-}).
2. Step 2: Determine the ratio of sodium ions to nitride ions needed to balance the overall charge to zero. Since sodium has a +1 charge and nitride has a -3 charge, you need three sodium ions to balance one nitride ion.
3. Step 3: Write the chemical formula by combining the ions in the ratio that balances the charges. This means three sodium ions (Na\_3) combine with one nitride ion (N) to form Na\_3N.
4. Step 4: Verify that the formula is electrically neutral by checking the total positive and negative charges: (3 \times +1) + (1 \times -3) = 0.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct chemical formula for sodium nitride is Na\_3N.