What is Nitrogen? Origin / Meaning of the name Nitrogen
The name originates from the Latin nitrum and Greek nitron for "native soda" and genes for "forming" because of nitrogen's presence in Potassium nitrate, so called salpeter or nitre or native soda.

What is Nitrogen? Periodic Table Group and Classification of the Nitrogen Element
Elements can be classified based on their physical states (States of Matter) e.g. gas, solid or liquid. This element is a gas. Nitrogen is classified as an element in the 'Non-Metals' section which can be located in groups 14,15 and 16 of the Periodic Table. Non-metallic elements exist, at room temperature, in two of the three states of matter: gases (Oxygen, Hydrogen & Nitrogen) and solids (Carbon, Phosphorus, Sulfur and Selenium).

What is Nitrogen? Occurrence of the Nitrogen Element
Constitutes nearly four-fifths of the air by volume (78.1% by volume, 75.5% by weight)
Obtained from liquid air. Nitrogen is also an essential constituent of all living organisms; for example, the human body contains about 2.4% of nitrogen.

Abundances of the element in different environments
% in Universe 0.1%
% in Sun 0.1%
% in Meteorites 0.14%
% in Earth's Crust 0.002%
% in Oceans 0.00005%
% in Humans 2.6%

Medical Uses of Nitrogen - Health and Treatments
Interesting information is contained in the following table of Medical Uses of Nitrogen, Health and Treatments. Nitrogen Mustard is used as an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug.

A useful reference providing information regarding the medical uses of Nitrogen, associated health issues and disorders and treatments using Nitrogen preparations.

Associated Uses of Nitrogen
Used as a coolant for the immersion freezing
Gunpowder
Fertilizer
Rocket fuels
Medicine and Health Care
Liquid nitrogen
Nitrogen dioxide, oxide
Nitrogen generator / generators

What is Nitrogen? The Properties of the Nitrogen Element
Name of Element : Nitrogen
Symbol of Element : N
Atomic Number of Nitrogen : 7
Atomic Mass: 14.00674 amu
Melting Point: -209.9 °C - 63.250008 °K
Boiling Point: -195.8 °C - 77.35 °K
Number of Protons/Electrons in Nitrogen : 7
Number of Neutrons in Nitrogen : 7
Crystal Structure: Hexagonal
Density @ 293 K: 1.2506 g/cm3
Color of Nitrogen : colorless

What is Nitrogen? Facts about the Discovery and History of the Nitrogen Element
Nitrogen was discovered by the English chemist Rutherford in 1772 who determined that the air in which animals had breathed, even after removal of the exhaled carbon dioxide, was no longer able to burn a candle. A little later Scheele showed it to be a constituent of air, and Lavoisier gave it the name azote, signifying that it would not support life. The name nitrogen was afterwards given it because of its presence in saltpeter or niter. The term azote and symbol Az are still retained by the French chemists.

Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Carl Scheele (9 December 1742 – 21 May 1786) was a German chemist who made a number of important chemical discoveries before many others but was rarely given the credit for his findings. For instance, although Scheele discovered oxygen Joseph Priestley published his findings first so was given the credit. Carl Scheele also identified molybdenum, Tungsten, Barium, Hydrogen and Chlorine before Humphry Davy and other scientists.

Carl Scheele (1742 - 1786)

Antoine Lavoisier
Antoine Lavoisier was famous for his care in quantitative experiments, for demonstrating the true nature of combustion, for introducing system into the naming and grouping of chemical substances. Lavoisier was executed in 1794 during the French Revolution.

Antoine Lavoisier (1743 - 1794)

Nitrogen as on the Periodic Table
Check out Nitrogen on the Periodic Table which arranges each chemical element according to its atomic number, as based on the Periodic Law, so that chemical elements with similar properties are in the same column. Our Periodic Table is simple to use - just click on the symbol for Nitrogen as on the Periodic Table for additional information and for an instant comparison of the Atomic Weight, Melting Point, Boiling Point and Mass - G/cc with any other element. An invaluable source of facts and information as a Chemistry reference guide.

Other elements classified as non-metals
The other elements contained in this classification are as follows:

• Hydrogen
• Carbon
• Oxygen
• Phosphorus
• Sulfur
• Selenium

What is Nitrogen - IUPAC and the Modern Standardised Periodic Table
The Standardised Periodic Table in use today was agreed by the International Union of Pure Applied Chemistry, IUPAC, in 1985 and now recognises more periods and elements than Dimitri  Mendeleev knew in his day in his day but still all fitting into his concept of  the "Periodic Table" in which Nitrogen is just one element that can be found.

Learn about what is Nitrogen with these fast facts...
These articles contain facts and information relating to Nitrogen and each of the other elements including the Periodic Symbol,  group, classification, properties and atomic number which is often referred to as the Periodic Table Number. Test your knowledge of chemistry and the Periodic Table by completing the Element Symbols and Atomic Numbers on our Blank Periodic Table. Chemistry students will also find a helpful section on Chemical Formulas.