Nitrogen is a well-known chemical element, which is denoted by the letter N. This element is perhaps the basis of inorganic chemistry, it begins to be studied in detail in the 8th grade. In this article, we will consider this chemical element, as well as its properties and types.
History of the discovery of a chemical element
Nitrogen is an element that was first introduced by the famous French chemist Antoine Lavoisier. But many scientists are fighting for the title of discoverer of nitrogen, among them Henry Cavendish, Karl Scheele, Daniel Rutherford.
Henry Cavendish, as a result of the experiment, was the first to isolate a chemical element, but did not understand that he received a simple substance. He reported his experience to Joseph Priestley, who also did some research. Probably, Priestley also managed to isolate this element, but the scientist could not understand what he received, so he did not deserve the title of discoverer. Karl Scheele at the same time conducted the same research, but did not come to the right conclusion.
In the same year, Daniel Rutherford was able not only to obtain nitrogen, but also to describe it, publish a dissertation and indicate the basic chemical properties of the element. But even Rutherford did not fully understand what he received. However, it is he who is considered the discoverer, because he was the closest to a solution.
The origin of the name nitrogen
From Greek, "nitrogen" is translated as "lifeless." It was Lavoisier who worked on the rules of nomenclature and decided to call that element. In the 18th century, it was only known about this element that it does not support combustion reactions or respiration. Therefore, this name was accepted.
In Latin, nitrogen is called "nitrogenium", which in translation means "giving birth to saltpeter." From the Latin language the designation of nitrogen appeared - the letter N. But the name itself in many countries did not take root.
Element prevalence
Nitrogen - this is perhaps one of the most common elements on our planet, it occupies the fourth place in terms of prevalence. The element is also found in the solar atmosphere, on the planets Uranus and Neptune. The atmospheres of Titan, Pluto and Triton are composed of nitrogen. In addition, the Earth’s atmosphere consists of 78-79 percent of this chemical element.
Nitrogen plays an important biological role, because it is necessary for the existence of plants and animals. Even the human body contains from 2 to 3 percent of this chemical element. It is part of chlorophyll, amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids.
A liquid nitrogen
Liquid nitrogen is a colorless transparent liquid; it is one of the state of aggregation of a chemical substance. Liquid nitrogen is widely used in industry, construction and medicine. It is used for freezing organic materials, cooling equipment, and in medicine for removing warts (aesthetic medicine).
Liquid nitrogen is non-toxic and non-explosive.
Molecular nitrogen
Molecular nitrogen is an element that is contained in the atmosphere of our planet and forms a large part of it. The formula of molecular nitrogen is N 2 . Such nitrogen reacts with other chemical elements or substances only at a very high temperature.
Physical properties
Under normal conditions, the chemical element nitrogen is a gas that is odorless, colorless, and practically insoluble in water. Liquid nitrogen in its consistency resembles water, which is also transparent and colorless. Nitrogen has one more state of aggregation, at a temperature below -210 degrees it turns into a solid, forms many large snow-white crystals. Absorbs oxygen from the air.
Chemical properties
Nitrogen belongs to the group of non-metals and takes over the properties of other chemical elements from this group. Nonmetals are generally not good conductors of electricity. Nitrogen forms various oxides, for example NO (monoxide). NO or nitric oxide is a muscle relaxant (a substance that significantly relaxes the muscles and does not have any harm or other effects on the human body). Oxides, which contain more nitrogen atoms, for example N 2 O, are a laughing gas, slightly sweet in taste, which is used in medicine as an anesthetic. However, NO 2 oxide already has nothing to do with the first two, because it is a rather harmful exhaust gas, which is contained in car exhaust and seriously pollutes the atmosphere.
Nitric acid, which is formed by atoms of hydrogen, nitrogen and three oxygen atoms, is a strong acid. It is widely used in the production of fertilizers, in jewelry, organic synthesis, the military industry (the production of explosives, rocket fuel and the synthesis of toxic substances), the production of dyes, drugs, etc. Nitric acid is very harmful to the human body, leaves skin ulcers and chemical burns.
People mistakenly believe that carbon dioxide is nitrogen. In fact, in terms of its chemical properties, an element reacts with only a small number of elements under normal conditions. And carbon dioxide is carbon monoxide.
Chemical element
Liquid nitrogen is used in medicine for cold treatment (cryotherapy), as well as in cooking as a refrigerant.
This element has also found wide application in industry. Nitrogen is a gas that is explosion and fireproof. In addition, it prevents decay and oxidation. Now nitrogen is used in mines in order to create an explosion-proof environment. Gaseous nitrogen is used in petrochemistry.
In the chemical industry, nitrogen is very difficult to manage. It is used for the synthesis of various substances and compounds, for example, some fertilizers, ammonia, explosives, dyes. Now a large amount of nitrogen is used for the synthesis of ammonia.
In the food industry, this substance is registered as a dietary supplement.
Mixture or pure substance?
Even the scientists of the first half of the 18th century, who managed to isolate the chemical element, thought that nitrogen was a mixture. But there is a big difference between these concepts.
A pure substance has a whole complex of constant properties, such as composition, physical and chemical properties. And a mixture is a compound that contains two or more chemical elements.
Now we know that nitrogen is a pure substance, since it is a chemical element.
When studying chemistry, it is very important to understand that nitrogen is the basis of all chemistry. It forms various compounds that we all meet, including laughing gas, brown gas, ammonia, and nitric acid. No wonder chemistry at school begins precisely with the study of such a chemical element as nitrogen.