Nitrogen

Nitrogen is present in almost all proteins and plays important roles in both biochemical applications and industrial applications. Nitrogen forms strong bonds because of its ability to form a triple bond with its self, and other elements. Thus, there is a lot of energy in the compounds of nitrogen. Before 100 years ago, little was known about nitrogen. Now, nitrogen is commonly used to preserve food, and as a fertilizer.

) is not reactive at standard temperature and pressure and is a colorless and odorless gas.

Figure 1.1

: A Bohr diagram of the nitrogen atom.

Nitrogen is a non-metal element that occurs most abundantly in the atmosphere, nitrogen gas (N₂) comprises 78.1% of the volume of the Earth’s air. It only appears in 0.002% of the earth's crust by mass. Compounds of nitrogen are found in foods, explosives, poisons, and fertilizers. Nitrogen makes up DNA in the form of nitrogenous bases as well as in neurotransmitters. It is one of the largest industrial gases, and is produced commercially as a gas and a liquid.