NITROGENBy Daniel Rivers

ATOMIC DATA

• Symbol: N

• Atomic number: 7

• Atomic mass: 14.00674

• Protons: 7

• Electrons: 7

N Nitrogen

7

14.00674

NITROGEN CYCLE

THE HISTORY OF NITROGENNitrogen was discovered in 1772 by a Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford(1749-1819).

He performed a simple experiment with which he discovered nitrogen.  Rutherford began with an empty bottle that he turned upside down in a pan of water, so that the air was trapped.  A burning candle was placed inside the bottle with the trapped air, causing the water to rise a bit.  Why did this happen?  The part of the air that seemed to "disappear" when the candle was burned was oxygen gas, and the part of the air that did not "disappear" Rutherford discovered was nitrogen.

GASES IN THE ATMOSPHERE

1%21%

78%

Nitrogen OxygenTrace gases

1% are trace gases: argon, ozone O3,

sulfur dioxide SO2, nitrogen oxides NOx, carbon

dioxide CO2 and methane CH4

A trace gas is a gas which makes up less than 1% by volume of the

Earth's atmosphere.

USES FOR NITROGEN • Gunpowder • Fertilizer • Rocket fuels • Light bulbs may contain nitrogen as a cheaper

alternative to argon. • Nitrogen gas is often used on top of liquid

explosive to keep them from exploding! • Nitrogen is used to produce many electrical

parts such as transistors, diodes and integrated circuits.

• Used to manufacture stainless steel. • Used to reduce the fire hazard in military

aircraft fuel systems. • Nitrogen gas is used to fill the tires of aircraft

and automobiles (cars). • Nitrogen is a component of nearly every

pharmacological drug. Laughing gas (nitrous oxide) can be used as an anesthetic.