Nitrogen (N2) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that makes up approximately 78% of Earth’s atmosphere, making it the most abundant element in the air we breathe. At the molecular level, nitrogen exists as a diatomic molecule, meaning two nitrogen atoms are bound together by an incredibly strong triple covalent bond – one of the strongest chemical bonds found in nature. This powerful bond gives nitrogen gas its remarkable stability and explains why breaking it apart requires significant energy, which is part of why nitrogen is often described as “inert” under normal conditions.
Despite its apparent reluctance to react, nitrogen plays an indispensable role in life on Earth as a key component of amino acids, nucleic acids, and other essential biological molecules. The process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into biologically useful forms, known as nitrogen fixation, occurs naturally through specialized bacteria and lightning strikes, and has been artificially replicated through industrial processes like the Haber-Bosch process, which has revolutionized agriculture by enabling the production of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Understanding nitrogen’s unique properties helps us appreciate how this seemingly simple gas supports life while remaining remarkably stable in our atmosphere.
-
99.99%
NF
ME NINF-
< 0.01%
4.8
99.998%
HP
SG NIHP-
5
3 (liquid only)
LS
SG NILS-
3
0.5
99.999%
UHP
SG UHP-
2
5.5
99.9995%
LAB
SG NILAB-
1
UC
SG NIUC-
CEM
SG NICEM-
0.1
6.0
99.9999%
RES
SG NIRES-
0.2
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