Nitrogen (N)
"The Atmospheric Arch-Protector! This invisible hero makes up 78% of the air you breathe, keeping our planet's atmosphere stable and quietly powering all life, from DNA to dynamite!"
A memorable persona to anchor N in your mind.
1.251
Grams per cm³
-210
Celsius (°C)
155
Radius (pm)
Daily Life Link
Every time you open a bag of chips or take a deep breath, you're interacting with Nitrogen – it's the silent hero keeping your snacks fresh and your lungs happy.
Discovery & History
Year Discovered
1772
Discovered By
Daniel Rutherford
Origin of Name
"The name is derived from the Greek 'nitron' and 'genes' meaning nitre forming."
Technical Properties
Atomic Mass
14.007 u
Standard State
gas
Boiling Point
-195.795°C
Electron Configuration
[He] 2s22p3
1st Ionization Energy
14.534 eV
Electron Affinity
N/A
Oxidation States
"Totally incognito! It's a completely colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, making it the ultimate elemental chameleon."
Did You Know?
Air Dominator: Nitrogen isn't just common; it's the undisputed heavyweight champion of our atmosphere, making up a massive 78% of the air you inhale with every single breath!
Life's Blueprint: Forget super glue, nitrogen is the ultimate binder! It's a fundamental building block of life itself, forming crucial parts of DNA, RNA, and every single protein in your body. No nitrogen, no you!
Chill Master: Get ready to shiver! Liquid nitrogen is mind-boggingly cold at -196°C (-321°F)! It's used for everything from instantly freezing warts off to preserving biological samples and even making ultra-cold ice cream.
Snack Saver: Ever wonder why your chip bag isn't totally full? It's often pumped with nitrogen gas to push out oxygen, preventing your snacks from going stale and keeping them perfectly crispy!