Element

Nitrogen Element Properties and Information

Published August 23, 2023 · Updated August 11, 2023

Nitrogen

Nitrogen Element Properties and Information:

Nitrogen is seventh element on the periodic table. Elements are arranged in the periodic table on the basis of the atomic number. Atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom. Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7. It is located in the Group 15 and Period 2 of the periodic table of elements. It is denoted by N. The name is derived from the Greek words ‘Nitron’ and ‘Genes’ which means Nitre Forming.

Nitrogen gas was obtained by Henry Cavendish and Joseph Priestly in 1760s by removing the oxygen from air. Daniel Rutherford was the first person to identify nitrogen as an element in 1772.

Nitrogen is seventh most abundant element in the solar system and milky way galaxy. Nitrogen is the most abundant constituent present in air on earth. It’s volumetric concentration is 78% by volume. It is a compound which is found in all living organisms thus it is also found in various types of fossil fuels. Nitrogen is the fourth most abundant element in human body having a concentration of 3% by mass.

Physical Properties:

Nitrogen is colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-metallic gas.
The atomic mass of nitrogen is 14.007
The melting point of nitrogen is -210°C
The boiling point of nitrogen is -195.795°C
The density of nitrogen is 1.25 in S.I. units at 20°C
Nitrogen is present in water and soils in form of nitrates and nitrites.
Nitrogen gas is often used as an ‘inert’ medium in many chemical processes because both the nitrogen atoms are bonded together by a triple bond and it takes a lot of energy to break those bonds.
Nitrogen has two stable isotopes; nitrogen-14 and nitrogen-15. Among all the isotopes, nitrogen-14 is the most abundant making 99.634% of total nitrogen.
Solid nitrogen is very volatile. It sublimes to form nitrogen frost even at low temperatures.

Chemical Properties:

The atmoic nitrogen is a triradical which has three unpaired electrons this it is extremely reactive. When they combine with other atoms they produce enormous energies.
Ammonia is industrially the most important hydride of nitrogen.
Nitrogen combines with alkali metals and alkaline earth metals to form nitrides.
Nitrogen combines with halogens and forms it’s halides, generally trihalides.
Nitrogen forms nine molecular oxides. Some of the nitrogen oxides find industrial uses. Most of them are pollutants to atmosphere. Nitrogen oxides are unstable towards decomposition to their elements.
Nitrogen also forms oxocids and oxoacid salts. Nitric acid is a very common acid used in industries and as well as labs all around the world.

Methods of Production:

Distillation of Air: This is the most common method used for separation of nitrogen and oxygen. The air is first cooled in stages in order to decrease the temperature to -200°C. During the cooling process, the water vapour condenses first and it is removed using absorbents, the carbon dioxide then solidifies at -79°C and it is removed, then oxygen condenses at -183°C and nitrogen at -196°C. The liquid nitrogen and oxygen mixture is passed to a fractionating column. The temperature is relatively warmer at the bottom such that the oxygen stays in liquid form while passing through the column but nitrogen vaporises and it gets removed from the top of the column. The liquid oxygen flows out of the system from the bottom of the column.
Membrane Technology: The main component of the process is a hollow fibre membrane. The flows through the membranes and due to selective permeation; oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour move across the membrane a lot faster than nitrogen this enables the nitrogen to be separated.

Relevance in Chemical and Related Industries:

Food Industries: The nitrogen gas is mixed with small amount of carbon dioxide and the mixture gas is used for preservation of packaged foods.
Steel Industries: Nitrogen is used in a process called nitriding. It is a heat treating process in which nitrogen is made to diffuse on the surface of the metal for the purpose of case hardening.
Chemical Analysis: During sample preparations for chemical analysis, nitrogen gas is passed perpendicular to the sample in order to evaporate some solvent so that the solute gets concentrated.
Haber Process: Nitrogen is one of the main raw materials used in the Haber Process. The nitrogen and hydrogen are combined at 400-450°C and 200 atm in the presence of iron catalysts to form Ammonia.

Relevance in Other Industries:

Cryopreservation: The liquid nitrogen is the most popular chemical used for the purpose of preserving substances at very low temperatures of around -200°C. It is extensively used for preserving cells of various kinds in medical fields. It is also used as refrigerant in various food, chemical and related industries.
For Machining Purposes: Materials which are soft or rubbery at room temperature can be freeze grinded using liquid nitrogen. It is also used for shrink fitting and assembling engineering components.

Health Effects on Exposure:

Asphyxiation: The nitrogen gas is non-toxic but if it is inhaled in large quantities then it will displace the oxygen. The oxygen will move out of the body due to which asphyxiation occurs.
Narcosis: If nitrogen gas is inhaled at high partial pressures, which may accidentally happen during scuba diving then the result is permanent impairment of mental functions. This is called Nitrogen Narcosis.
Decompression Sickness: Nitrogen dissolves readily in blood and also in body fats when pressure increases. When the surrounding pressure gets reduced the nitrogen moves out of the system but if the pressure gets lowered too quickly, which happens when a diver ascends too quickly or when the space shuttle decompresses very fast then it causes a condition called bends or decompression sickness which can be lethal.
Frost Bite: When the liquid nitrogen comes in contact with the skin then it’s low temperature causes the skin to freeze and appear waxy yellow. When the skin defrosts the area of contact swells and blisters are formed.

Effects on Surroundings:

Disbalance of Nitrates and Nitrites: Nitrogen compounds emitted by industries and also the extensive use of fertilizers has caused disbalance in natural proportions of nitrates and nitrites in the environment.
Humans: Food rich in nitrogen compounds can cause the oxygen transport to the blood to decrease. High nitrogen content causes thyroid problems and also vitamin A deficiencies. It can also have serious consequences for domesticated animals like cattles.
Animals: If the nitrates enter the intestine of animals then they can form dangerous carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines.

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