Nitrogen gas (N₂) is very stable and does not readily combust in the traditional sense. It does not readily combine with oxygen to form nitrogen oxides under normal conditions.

However, nitrogen can react with oxygen at extremely high temperatures, such as those found in internal combustion engines or lightning strikes. This reaction forms nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are pollutants contributing to smog and acid rain.

The simplified chemical equation for this reaction is:

N₂ + O₂ → 2NO

This reaction is highly endothermic and requires a significant amount of energy to initiate.

Keep in mind that this is a simplified representation and the actual reaction involves multiple steps and can produce a variety of nitrogen oxides depending on the specific conditions.