Final answer:
The balanced equation for the formation of silicon nitride from solid silicon and nitrogen gas is 3Si (s) + 2N₂ (g) → Si₃N₄ (s).
Step-by-step explanation:
The balanced equation for the reaction between solid silicon and nitrogen gas to form silicon nitride is represented by the equation 3Si (s) + 2N₂ (g) → Si₃N₄ (s). Therefore, the correct answer is:
B. Si + 3N₂ → Si₃N₄ is not the correct balanced equation.
C. 2Si + 3N₂ → 2Si₃N₄ is also not correctly balanced.
D. Si + 2N₂ → Si₂N₄ does not represent the correct reaction for forming silicon nitride.
The balanced chemical reaction correctly forms stoichiometric coefficients and reflects the conservation of mass where 3 moles of silicon react with 2 moles of nitrogen gas to form 1 mole of silicon nitride, which corresponds to the formula Si₃N₄.