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Nitrogen

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Identification
Molecular formula
N2
CAS number
7727-37-9
IUPAC name
molecular nitrogen
State
State

At room temperature, nitrogen is in a gaseous state. It is diatomic, meaning it forms molecules consisting of two nitrogen atoms (N2).

Melting point (Celsius)
-210.00
Melting point (Kelvin)
63.15
Boiling point (Celsius)
-195.79
Boiling point (Kelvin)
77.36
General information
Molecular weight
28.01g/mol
Molar mass
28.0130g/mol
Density
0.0012g/cm3
Appearence

Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas under standard conditions. It is mostly inert and makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere by volume.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Molecular Nitrogen (N2)

Molecular nitrogen, or N2, exhibits unique solubility characteristics that are important to understand in various contexts.

Solubility in Water

Generally, the solubility of N2 in water is quite low. This can be attributed to several factors:

  • Nonpolar Nature: N2 is a nonpolar molecule, making it less likely to interact favorably with polar water molecules.
  • High Molecular Weight: The relatively low kinetic energy associated with heavier molecules like N2 contributes to decreased solubility.

At room temperature, only about 0.018 g/L of N2 can dissolve in water, highlighting its limited solubility.

Temperature and Pressure Effects

The solubility of N2 is also influenced by changes in temperature and pressure:

  • Increased Pressure: According to Henry's law, increasing the pressure of N2 over water will enhance its solubility.
  • Temperature Factors: As with many gases, increasing the temperature typically decreases solubility due to the increased kinetic energy of the gas molecules.

Biological and Environmental Relevance

The low solubility of N2 is significant in biological and environmental systems:

  • Respiration: Aquatic organisms rely on dissolved oxygen rather than nitrogen due to its minimal solubility.
  • Nitrogen Cycling: Understanding N2 solubility enhances knowledge of nitrogen fixation processes in ecosystems.

In summary, the solubility of molecular nitrogen in water is markedly low, affected by its nonpolar characteristics, pressure changes, and temperature variations. These factors are crucial for numerous environmental and biological interactions.

Interesting facts

Interesting Facts about Molecular Nitrogen (N2)

Molecular nitrogen, known by its chemical formula N2, is a colorless, odorless gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere. This inert diatomic molecule is not only essential for life on our planet but is also a fascinating subject of study for chemists and scientists alike. Here are some engaging facts about N2:

  • Inert Nature: N2 is notable for being chemically inert under standard conditions. This means it does not easily react with other compounds, making it a stable choice for various industrial applications.
  • Biological Importance: Nitrogen is a critical element for life, as it is a building block of amino acids and nucleic acids. Despite its abundance, most organisms cannot utilize N2 directly; it must be fixed into usable forms, a process carried out by certain bacteria and plants.
  • Atmospheric Role: By diluting oxygen in the atmosphere, nitrogen plays a vital role in preventing fires from spreading too easily. This stabilizing effect creates a balance that is crucial for many ecosystems.
  • Industrial Uses: The Haber-Bosch process allows us to synthesize ammonia from N2 and hydrogen, producing fertilizers that boost agricultural productivity. This process significantly contributes to global food supply.
  • Liquid Nitrogen: When cooled to a liquid state, nitrogen becomes extremely cold and is used in various applications, such as cryopreservation and cryotherapy, demonstrating its diverse utility in science and medicine.

As stated by scientists, "The beauty of nitrogen lies in its simplicity and its significance to all forms of life." Understanding molecular nitrogen and its behaviors continues to be a vital area of research in both environmental science and chemistry.

Synonyms
Nitrogen
7727-37-9
N
Nitrogen gas
Molecular nitrogen
Dinitrogen
Nitrogen-14
Nitrogeno
nitrogen molecule
Nitrogen (n2)
HSDB 5060
Diatomic nitrogen
Nitrogen, liquid
Nitrogen, compressed
INS NO.941
N2
CHEBI:17997
INS-941
UNII-N762921K75
DTXSID4036304
E-941
N762921K75
NITROGEN (II)
NITROGEN [II]
NITROGEN (MART.)
NITROGEN [MART.]
MOL Nitrogen
Azote [French]
Nitrogeno [Spanish]
NITROGEN (EP MONOGRAPH)
NITROGEN [EP MONOGRAPH]
Nitrogen [NF]
Nitrogen (liquified)
EINECS 231-783-9
UN1066
UN1977
nitrogencompressed
Nitrogen (TN)
Nitrogen, elemental
NITROGENNF
NITROGEN [HSDB]
NITROGEN [FCC]
NITROGEN [JAN]
NITROGEN [MI]
Nitrogen (JP18/NF)
NITROGEN [VANDF]
NITROGENCompressed, NF
NITROGEN [WHO-DD]
NITROGEN [GREEN BOOK]
Nitrogen, >=99.998%
Nitrogen, >=99.999%
CHEMBL142438
DTXCID6015504
DB09152
UN 1066
UN 1977
E941
Nitrogen, Messer(R) CANGas, 99.999%
NS00076303
C00697
D00083
Nitrogen Check Standard: N @ 50 ppm in Toluene
Nitrogen, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid)
Nitrogen Check Standard: N @ 1 ppm in Isooctane
Nitrogen Calibration Set: 0-100 mg/L in Isooctane
Nitrogen Check Standard: N @ 10 ppm in Isooctane
Nitrogen Check Standard: N @ 50 ppm in Isooctane
Nitrogen, compressed [UN1066] [Nonflammable gas]
Nitrogenc70f6047-a0cb-4f70-aa3a-78acd681efc3
Q2370426
ASTM D4629 Calibration Set, N @ 0-100 mg/L in Isooctane
Nitrogen Set for ASTM D6366: N @ 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 ng/microL in Isooctane
Nitrogen, refrigerated liquid (cryogenic liquid) [UN1977] [Nonflammable gas]
231-783-9
N#N
Nitrogen Set for ASTM D6366: N @ Blank, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10 ng/microL in p-Xylene