Final answer:
Metals that form a 3+ cation, such as aluminum, vanadium, and iron, are suitable to form an ionic compound with nitrogen with the general formula M3N2.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to determine which metal (M) will form an ionic compound with nitrogen with the general formula M3N2, we need to consider the charges of the ions that each metal forms and their compatibility with the charges of nitrogen. Nitrogen is a nonmetal and forms negative ions (anions). It gains three electrons to have a charge of 3-. Based on this, we can conclude that a metal that forms a 3+ cation will be able to combine with nitrogen to form an ionic compound with the formula M3N2.
Therefore, metals such as aluminum (Al3+), vanadium (V3+), and iron (Fe3+) would be suitable candidates to form an ionic compound with nitrogen with the general formula M3N2. Other metals, such as copper (Cu2+), manganese (Mn2+), and platinum (Pt4+), would not be suitable since their charges do not match with the charge of nitrogen.
It's important to note that this answer is based on the general trend of ionic compound formation between metals and nonmetals. Specific reactions and compounds may have different charges and ratios.