Question

Out of the alkali metals, only $Na$ forms nitride. Is the given statement true or false?

Answer 1

As we know that sodium belongs to group and the elements of this group are called alkali metals because they have the capability to form hydroxides on reaction with water and also the Lithium is the first element of this group which possess anomalous properties as compared to other members.

Complete answer: As we know that Lithium is the first member of alkali metals and among the alkali metals only, Lithium is the metal which forms nitrides and the reason being the lattice energies possessed by Lithium which helps in formation of a stable oxide and nitride.
Among the alkali metals Lithium is the least reactive but it is the strongest reducing agent. When it is burnt in air it mainly form monoxide Lithium oxide which have the chemical formula as $L{i_2}O$ and the nitride which is given as $L{i_3}N$ which is basically the result of reaction between Lithium and nitrogen gas at room temperature.
Lithium nitride is a stable compound because the energy released by the formation of this compound is highly exothermic.
But for other elements of the group like sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium, it is not possible to make the nitrides because of the instability and lower lattice energy of the compounds so formed as a product.

Therefore the given statement is false.

Note: Sodium do not form nitrides but it possess the tendency to form other stable compounds like sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate which is used commercially for various purposes like in softening of water, manufacturing of glass, table salt, manufacturing of paper and baking powder respectively.