Nitrogen | Properties | Uses | and Facts

Properties Uses and Facts about Nitrogen

What is Nitrogen

Nitrogen is a gas, it is classified as a nonmetal, and chemically it is an element. Nitrogen is found in the gaseous state at room temperature, its melting point is −210 °C (−346 °F), and the boiling point of nitrogen is −195.79 °C (−320.42 °F). Nitrogen has a density of 1.25 grams per 1000 cubic centimeters. Nitrogen has the symbol N, and its atomic number is 7 and its atomic weight is 14.0067 amu. Nitrogen atom has 7 electrons, 7 protons, 7 neutrons and 2 energy levels. Nitrogen is located in Group 15, Period 2 and Block P in the Periodic Table.

Nitrogen was discovered in 1772 by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford.

Nitrogen Gas Properties Uses and Facts

Properties of Nitrogen

• Nitrogen is a colorless and odorless gas.
• Nitrogen gas in liquid state looks like water.
• Nitrogen gas converts into solid state at a temperature below -210 °C, in solid state nitrogen appears like white colored snow.
• Two atoms of nitrogen react with each other to form a molecule of nitrogen N2, in this state nitrogen gas is a very inert gas.
• Nitrogen does not react with hydrogen, oxygen and most other elements at ordinary temperature and pressure.
• Nitrogen gas is soluble in water in small quantities.
• Nitrogen and oxygen present in the atmosphere form nitrogen oxides in the presence of an electric spark.

Uses of Nitrogen

• Nitrogen is most commonly used in the production of ammonia (NH3). In this process, nitrogen gas is combined with hydrogen gas. Ammonia is used in large quantities in the manufacture of fertilizers, nitric acid and explosives.
• Nitrogen is an inert gas, so it is used in the semiconductor industry and as a protective shield during certain types of welding.
• Oil companies use high pressure nitrogen gas to bring crude oil to the surface.
• Liquid nitrogen is an inexpensive cryogenic refrigerant, so it is used to preserve biological specimens, rapidly freeze and store foods, and perform scientific experiments at extremely low temperatures.
• Nitrogen is used to create an inert atmosphere.
• In the electronics industry, nitrogen is used in the production of integrated circuits, transistors, and diodes.
• During steel production, an atmosphere of nitrogen is used for annealing of steel. Superheated steel is cooled slowly in a controlled atmosphere, which makes the steel less hard and easier to work with. This process is called annealing.
• Nitrogen is also used to preserve historical documents. When documents are kept in normal air, the ink and paper of the documents react with oxygen gas, which causes them to decay. Hence historical documents are kept in airtight containers filled with nitrogen gas.
• Liquid nitrogen is used to treat small warts.
• In the tires of airplanes and special vehicles, nitrogen gas is filled in place of ordinary air.

Interesting Facts about Nitrogen gas

• Nitrogen is the fifth most abundant element in the universe.
• Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere, but nitrogen is the 30th most abundant element on Earth.
• Liquid nitrogen is extremely cold, it kills skin cells just by touching it, so it must be used with caution.
• Nitrogen is essential for all animals and plants. Nitrogen is an important part of proteins, amino acids and DNA in our body. Apart from this, it is necessary for the formation of chlorophyll in plants.
• Excess of nitrogen in the body causes problems in the thyroid gland and deficiency of Vitamin A in the body.

Detailed Information on Some other Gases

• Hydrogen Properties Uses and Other Details
• Phosphine (PH3) Properties Uses and other information
• Oxygen Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
• Helium Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
• Neon Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
• Argon Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
• Xenon Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
• Krypton Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
• Radon Gas | Properties | Uses | Facts
• Fluorine Gas | Properties | Uses | and Facts
• Chlorine Gas | Properties | Uses | and Facts