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Characteristics of Nitrogen Gas

Nitrogen is represented by the chemical symbol "N" and is the seventh element on the periodic table. English scientist John Mayow was the first to prove that air is not pure oxygen, but rather a cocktail of different gases, one of which is nitrogen. It is one of the world's most ubiquitous elements.

  1. Basic Chemical Properties

    • Nitrogen exists as a gas in its natural state (i.e, at standard temperature and pressure). It has an atomic weight of 14 and an atomic volume of 17.3 cubic centimeters per mole. It is considered a nonmetal.

    Appearance and Behavior

    • Nitrogen gas has no color, smell or taste. However, it can be dangerous if nitrogen bubbles into the bloodstream (as when deep-sea divers come up too fast). It is classified as an inert gas. Nitrogen is generally nonreactive with other elements.

    Cost and Source

    • Pure nitrogen gas costs, on average, $.40 per 100 grams as of 2011. A process known as fractional distillation extracts nitrogen from the air in order to isolate it. With four quadrillion tons of nitrogen in the atmosphere, its supply is virtually limitless.

    Uses

    • Nitrogen gas has a number of practical functions. It can be stored at very high pressures to produce liquid nitrogen, which is used in cooling. It's used in welding and in oil extraction, and it's a necessary component of nitric oxide. Nitrogen is also used to synthesize many explosives, such as TNT. Biologically, humans depend on the circulation of nitrogen between the air and soil, where it fertilizes plants.

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