Typpiatomin

Typpiatomin is the nitrogen atom, the constituent unit of the element nitrogen (symbol N). It has atomic number 7 and is a nonmetal.

In neutral nitrogen, the nucleus contains 7 protons. The most common isotope, 14N, has 7 neutrons; 15N has 8. The electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p3, giving five valence electrons. This arrangement allows nitrogen to form covalent bonds and to display oxidation states from −3 to +5. In the diatomic molecule N2, two atoms share three electron pairs, yielding a strong triple bond that makes N2 relatively inert.

Elemental nitrogen is not found as free atoms in nature and exists primarily as N2. In Earth’s atmosphere it accounts for roughly 78% by volume. In compounds, nitrogen is common in both organic and inorganic molecules, such as amino groups, nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium salts.

Industrially, nitrogen is produced from air and used to synthesize ammonia via the Haber-Bosch process, a foundation of modern fertilizers and chemicals.

Natural nitrogen consists mainly of the isotope 14N, with a smaller fraction of 15N. Both isotopes are stable; 14N is the most abundant.

Nitrogen is essential for life as a component of amino acids, nucleotides, proteins, and DNA. Biogeochemical processes involving nitrogen include fixation, nitrification, assimilation, and denitrification.