Agronomy Journal 91:357
- N has no odor, is tasteless, and colorless.
- Nitrogen gas (N2) makes up 78.1% of the Earth's atmosphere
- Atmosphere contains an estimated 4,000 trillion tons of N2
- Nitrogen is not a metal.
- Nitrogen gas is inert. Some soil bacteria can 'fix' nitrogen into a form that plants and animals can use to make amino acids and proteins.
- French chemist Antoine Laurent Lavoisier named nitrogen azote, meaning without life.
- Nitrogen was sometimes referred to as 'burnt' or 'dephlogisticated' air.
- Nitrogen compounds are found in foods, fertilizers, poisons, and explosives.
- Nitrogen is responsible for the orange-red, blue-green, blue-violet, and deep violet colors of the aurora.
- One way to prepare nitrogen gas is by liquefaction and fractional distillation from the atmosphere.
- Nitrogen has a valence of 3 or 5.
- Discovery: Scottishphysician Daniel Rutherfordin1772
- Fifth most abundant element in the universe
Atomic Mass 14.0067
Commercial fertilizer is responsible for 40 to 60% of the worlds food production (Roberts, 2009)
Roberts, T.L. 2009. The role of fertilizer in growing the world's food. Better Crops: 93:12-15)
Physical properties of Nitrogen | |
Boiling Point at 1 atm Freezing Point at 1 atm Density of the gas at 21.1 C and 1 atm | -195.8 C -209.9 C 1.153 kg/m3 |
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Uses of Nitrogen | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Nitrogen finds use in diverse commercial applications, including:
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As a seasoned expert in the field of nitrogen and its applications, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to elucidate the intricate details surrounding this essential element. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of nitrogen's properties, applications, and its pivotal role in various domains.
Let's delve into the information encapsulated in the provided article:
Nitrogen Properties:
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Odorless, Tasteless, Colorless:
- Nitrogen (N) is characterized by its lack of odor, taste, and color.
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Abundance in Atmosphere:
- Nitrogen gas (N2) constitutes a staggering 78.1% of the Earth's atmosphere.
- The atmosphere contains an estimated 4,000 trillion tons of N2.
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Chemical Inertness:
- Nitrogen gas is inert, implying it does not readily undergo chemical reactions.
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Biological Fixation:
- Certain soil bacteria can 'fix' nitrogen into a form usable by plants and animals to synthesize amino acids and proteins.
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Historical Context:
- Named by French chemist Antoine Laurent Lavoisier as "azote," meaning without life.
- Previously referred to as 'burnt' or 'dephlogisticated' air.
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Color Contribution:
- Nitrogen is responsible for various colors in the aurora, including orange-red, blue-green, blue-violet, and deep violet.
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Preparation Methods:
- Nitrogen gas can be prepared by liquefaction and fractional distillation from the atmosphere.
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Chemical Characteristics:
- Nitrogen has a valence of 3 or 5.
Historical and Elemental Information:
- Discovered by Scottish physician Daniel Rutherford in 1772.
- Fifth most abundant element in the universe.
- Atomic Number: 7
- Atomic Mass: 14.0067
Nitrogen Usage:
Nitrogen is employed in a multitude of commercial applications:
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Chemical Processing:
- Used to create oxygen-deficient environments, propelling liquids through pipelines, and manufacturing ammonia.
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Food Industry:
- Extends shelf-life in packaged foods, prevents spoilage, molds, moisture migration, and insect infestation. Also used for rapid freezing and refrigeration during transport.
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Petroleum Recovery and Refining:
- Improves recovery and maintains pressure in oil and gas reservoirs, purges pipelines, and aids in VOC emission control.
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Metal Production and Fabrication:
- Protects metals during high-temperature operations, cools extrusion dies, and supports welding processes.
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Electronics:
- Prevents oxidation in semiconductor manufacturing and enhances solvent recovery systems.
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Glass Manufacturing:
- Cools furnace electrodes, prevents oxidation, and lowers air temperatures for optimum cooling rates.
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Research and Health Services:
- Used for freezing and preserving biological specimens, cryosurgery, dermatology, and MRI pre-cooling.
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Construction:
- Suppresses concrete pour temperature to inhibit crack formation and stabilizes the ground in construction projects.
Fertilizer Impact on Food Production:
- Commercial fertilizer, which often contains nitrogen, plays a crucial role, being responsible for 40 to 60% of the world's food production (Roberts, 2009).
References:
- Roberts, T.L. 2009. "The role of fertilizer in growing the world's food." Better Crops: 93:12-15.
In conclusion, my deep knowledge of nitrogen encompasses its historical discovery, fundamental properties, and diverse applications across industries, showcasing its indispensability in our daily lives and various sectors of the global economy.