Kvävegasen

Kvävegasen, often referred to as nitrogen gas, is a chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless diatomic gas that is a major constituent of Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 78% of its volume. Nitrogen is a nonmetal and is relatively unreactive under normal conditions due to the strong triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms in its molecular form (N2).

Despite its inertness, nitrogen is an essential element for life. It is a fundamental component of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, and nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA. Nitrogen is also present in many other organic molecules vital to biological processes. The nitrogen cycle describes the continuous movement of nitrogen through the atmosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere, involving various chemical transformations.

Industrially, nitrogen gas is produced through fractional distillation of liquefied air. It has numerous applications, including as an inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation or combustion in food packaging, electronics manufacturing, and chemical processes. Liquid nitrogen, with its extremely low temperature, is widely used as a refrigerant for preserving biological samples, in cryotherapy, and in various scientific and industrial cooling applications. In medicine, nitrogen is used in lasers for surgical procedures and in diagnostic imaging. The element's prevalence and critical role in biological and industrial contexts make it a substance of significant importance.