Nitrogen (N): Fun Facts and Information About the Element

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Fun Facts about Nitrogen

What is the symbol? N
What is the atomic number? 7
What is the atomic weight? 14.0067
What is the melting point in Celsius? -210
What is the boiling point in Celsius? -196
What is the density (g/cm3) 1.25
What year was it discovered? 1772
Who discovered the element? Daniel Rutherford
What group is the element in? 15
What is the electron configuration? [He] 2s2 2p3
What is the ionization energy? 14.5341
What element category is it in? Other Nonmetals

Where is Nitrogen Found?

Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up 78.1% of the Earth’s air, by volume. The atmosphere of Mars, by comparison, is only 2.6% nitrogen. From an exhaustible source in our atmosphere, nitrogen gas can be obtained by liquefaction and fractional distillation. Nitrogen is found in all living systems as part of the makeup of biological compounds.

What is Nitrogen Used For?

Sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and potassium nitrate (KNO3) are formed by the decomposition of organic matter with compounds of these metals present. In certain dry areas of the world these saltpeters are found in quantity and are used as fertilizers. Other inorganic nitrogen compounds are nitric acid (HNO3), ammonia (NH3), the oxides (NO, NO2, N2O4, N2O), cyanides (CN-), etc.

The nitrogen cycle is one of the most important processes in nature for living organisms. Although nitrogen gas is relatively inert, bacteria in the soil are capable of “fixing” the nitrogen into a usable form for plants. In other words, Nature has provided a method to produce nitrogen for plants to grow.

Ammonia (NH3) is the most important commercial compound of nitrogen. Hydrogen gas and nitrogen gas reacted via the Haber Process to produce ammonia. Ammonia is also used in the production of urea, NH2CONH2, which is used as a fertilizer, used in the plastic industry, and used in the livestock industry as a feed supplement. Ammonia is often the starting compound for many other nitrogen compounds.

Resource by B.Matthews

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