Reaction of vaporous magnesium with oxygen and with nitrogen

Abstract

The reaction of magnesium vapour with oxygen and with nitrogen has been studied by use of the diffusion flame technique. At temperatures below 595° with oxygen and below 610° with nitrogen the reaction takes place completely in the gas phase. Above these temperatures however the reaction occurs mainly on the surface of particles of condensed gaseous product.

A tentative explanation for this abrupt change in mechanism is put forward, based on a consideration of the critical concentration of vaporous product required for nucleation to the solid phase.