Nitrogen is a nonmetallic chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. It is the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere, making up about 78% by volume. Nitrogen belongs to Group 15 of the periodic table, known as the nitrogen group or pnictogens.
Physical Properties:
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State at Room Temperature: Gas
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Color and Odor: Colorless, odorless, and tasteless
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Boiling Point: -195.8°C
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Melting Point: -210°C
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Diatomic Molecule: Exists as N₂, with a strong triple bond, making it very stable and inert under normal conditions
Chemical Properties:
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Atomic Number: 7
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Electronic Configuration: 1s² 2s² 2p³
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Valency: Typically 3 or 5, depending on the compound
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Reactivity: Although N₂ is inert due to its triple bond, nitrogen forms many reactive compounds like ammonia (NH₃), nitric acid (HNO₃), and oxides of nitrogen (NO, NO₂)
Occurrence:
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Found primarily as a gas in the atmosphere
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Present in soil and organic matter as nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium compounds
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Vital part of the nitrogen cycle, which includes nitrogen fixation by bacteria
Biological Importance:
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Essential for all living organisms
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A key component of amino acids, proteins, DNA, and RNA
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Needed for plant growth and is absorbed from the soil as nitrates or ammonium
Uses:
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Fertilizers: Used to make ammonia (NH₃) via the Haber process, essential for nitrogen-based fertilizers
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Cryogenics: Liquid nitrogen is used for freezing and preserving biological samples
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Industrial: Used in the production of explosives, dyes, and nitric acid
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Food Packaging: Inert gas used to preserve freshness and prevent oxidation
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Electronics: Used in semiconductor manufacturing
Summary:
Nitrogen is a vital, abundant, and versatile element, crucial to both life processes and industrial applications. Although chemically inert as a gas, its compounds are highly reactive and play important roles in agriculture, medicine, and technology.
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