Why magnesium nitride can be formed during heating the magnesium in air?

Magnesium nitride (Mg3N2) can form when magnesium is heated in air due to the reaction between magnesium and nitrogen present in the atmosphere. At elevated temperatures, magnesium readily oxidizes and can also react with nitrogen gas to produce magnesium nitride. This reaction occurs because magnesium has a high affinity for both oxygen and nitrogen, allowing it to form stable compounds with these elements under the right conditions. The formation of magnesium nitride is favored when there's a sufficient supply of nitrogen during the heating process.