Nitrogen: Difference between revisions
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'''Nitrogen''', a chemical [[element]], symbolized by N, whose individual atoms comprise a nucleus of seven protons, i.e,., it has an [[atomic number]], ''Z'' = 7, meaning the nucleus has a positive electrical charge designated 7 ''e'', with ''e'' representing the unit [[elementary charge]]. Seven electrons in two surrounding cloud-like energy shells charge-balance the seven protons, rendering the atom electrically neutral. The element occupies the seventh position in the [[periodic table]], in virtue of its atomic number. Its nucleus naturally contains either seven neutrons, the isotope designated <sup>14</sup>N (natural abundance 99.632%), or eight neutrons, the isotope designated <sup>15</sup>N (natural abundance 0.368%). <sup>14</sup>N has an atomic mass (formerly called atomic weight) of 14.0030740052 u, where u is the [[unified atomic mass unit]]; <sup>15</sup>N has an atomic mass of 15.0001088984 u. The averaged atomic mass (also known as standard atomic weight) is 14.0067 u. | '''Nitrogen''', a chemical [[element]], symbolized by N, whose individual atoms comprise a nucleus of seven protons, i.e,., it has an [[atomic number]], ''Z'' = 7, meaning the nucleus has a positive electrical charge designated 7 ''e'', with ''e'' representing the unit [[elementary charge]]. Seven electrons in two surrounding cloud-like energy shells charge-balance the seven protons, rendering the atom electrically neutral. The element occupies the seventh position in the [[periodic table]], in virtue of its atomic number. Its nucleus naturally contains either seven neutrons, the isotope designated <sup>14</sup>N (natural abundance 99.632%), or eight neutrons, the isotope designated <sup>15</sup>N (natural abundance 0.368%). Other isotopes of nitrogen lack stability, decaying in a few minutes of fractions of a second. <sup>14</sup>N has an atomic mass (formerly called atomic weight) of 14.0030740052 u, where u is the [[unified atomic mass unit]]; <sup>15</sup>N has an atomic mass of 15.0001088984 u. The averaged atomic mass (also known as standard atomic weight) is 14.0067 u. | ||
Nitrogen has three unpaired electrons in its outermost shell and therefore can form three single covalent bonds with three other atoms, sharing one electron with each, as in NH<sub>3</sub>, ammonia; a single covalent bond with one atom and one double covalent bond with another, as in azo dyes, -N=N-; and, one triple covalent bond, as in N<sub>2</sub>. | |||
Covalently bonded with itself in a triple bond (sharing three electrons), the nitrogen molecule, (N<sub>2</sub>), makes up about 78% by volume of dry air. At the Earth's surface normal temperature and pressure N<sub>2</sub> exists as a gas with no taste, color or odor. The nitrogen molecule is chemically rather inert, it does not burn, does not support combustion and is only slightly soluble in water. At high temperature it combines with [[oxygen]] to form [[NOx|NO<sub>x</sub>]], a generic designation for the class of nitrogen oxides containing NO, NO<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O, N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, and NO<sub>3</sub>. Several of these oxides are formed during operation of [[combustion engine]]s. | Covalently bonded with itself in a triple bond (sharing three electrons), the nitrogen molecule, (N<sub>2</sub>), makes up about 78% by volume of dry air. At the Earth's surface normal temperature and pressure N<sub>2</sub> exists as a gas with no taste, color or odor. The nitrogen molecule is chemically rather inert, it does not burn, does not support combustion and is only slightly soluble in water. At high temperature it combines with [[oxygen]] to form [[NOx|NO<sub>x</sub>]], a generic designation for the class of nitrogen oxides containing NO, NO<sub>2</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O, N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, N<sub>2</sub>O<sub>5</sub>, and NO<sub>3</sub>. Several of these oxides are formed during operation of [[combustion engine]]s. | ||
Nitrogen is important for living organisms because it is an important element of [[amino acids]]. Synthetic fertilizers contain nitrogen obtained from air by the [[Haber process|Haber-Bosch process]], a so-called [[nitrogen fixation]] process. | Nitrogen is important for living organisms because it is an important element of [[amino acids]]. Synthetic fertilizers contain nitrogen obtained from air by the [[Haber process|Haber-Bosch process]], a so-called [[nitrogen fixation]] process. | ||
Revision as of 20:15, 4 December 2007
Nitrogen, a chemical element, symbolized by N, whose individual atoms comprise a nucleus of seven protons, i.e,., it has an atomic number, Z = 7, meaning the nucleus has a positive electrical charge designated 7 e, with e representing the unit elementary charge. Seven electrons in two surrounding cloud-like energy shells charge-balance the seven protons, rendering the atom electrically neutral. The element occupies the seventh position in the periodic table, in virtue of its atomic number. Its nucleus naturally contains either seven neutrons, the isotope designated 14N (natural abundance 99.632%), or eight neutrons, the isotope designated 15N (natural abundance 0.368%). Other isotopes of nitrogen lack stability, decaying in a few minutes of fractions of a second. 14N has an atomic mass (formerly called atomic weight) of 14.0030740052 u, where u is the unified atomic mass unit; 15N has an atomic mass of 15.0001088984 u. The averaged atomic mass (also known as standard atomic weight) is 14.0067 u.
Nitrogen has three unpaired electrons in its outermost shell and therefore can form three single covalent bonds with three other atoms, sharing one electron with each, as in NH3, ammonia; a single covalent bond with one atom and one double covalent bond with another, as in azo dyes, -N=N-; and, one triple covalent bond, as in N2.
Covalently bonded with itself in a triple bond (sharing three electrons), the nitrogen molecule, (N2), makes up about 78% by volume of dry air. At the Earth's surface normal temperature and pressure N2 exists as a gas with no taste, color or odor. The nitrogen molecule is chemically rather inert, it does not burn, does not support combustion and is only slightly soluble in water. At high temperature it combines with oxygen to form NOx, a generic designation for the class of nitrogen oxides containing NO, NO2, N2O, N2O3, N2O4, N2O5, and NO3. Several of these oxides are formed during operation of combustion engines.
Nitrogen is important for living organisms because it is an important element of amino acids. Synthetic fertilizers contain nitrogen obtained from air by the Haber-Bosch process, a so-called nitrogen fixation process.