Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere and is essential for all living organisms as a component of amino acids and DNA.
Properties of Nitrogen
- Atomic number
- 7
- Category
- Nonmetal
- Atomic mass
- 14.007 u
- Electron configuration
- [He] 2s² 2p³
- Melting point
- 63.15 K (-210 °C)
- Boiling point
- 77.36 K (-195.79 °C)
- Density
- 0.0012506 g/cm³
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 3.04
- Appearance
- Colorless gas
- Discovered by
- Daniel Rutherford (1772)
Facts about Nitrogen
- About 78% of every breath you take is nitrogen!
- Liquid nitrogen is so cold (-196°C) it can freeze things instantly!
- Nitrogen is used to keep chips bags puffy and fresh!
- Your DNA contains nitrogen — it's essential for life!