kväveatomen

The kväveatom, or nitrogen atom, is a chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. It is a nonmetal belonging to the p-block of the periodic table. In its elemental form, nitrogen is a colorless, odorless diatomic gas, N₂, which makes up approximately 78% of Earth's atmosphere. This diatomic molecule is very stable due to a triple bond between the two nitrogen atoms, making it relatively unreactive under normal conditions.

Nitrogen is essential for life on Earth. It is a key component of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, and nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, which carry genetic information. Nitrogen fixation is a crucial process where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a usable form, such as ammonia, by certain bacteria or industrial processes. This allows plants to absorb nitrogen for growth.

Beyond its biological importance, nitrogen has numerous industrial applications. It is used in the production of fertilizers, explosives, nitric acid, and in various organic synthesis processes. Liquid nitrogen, with its extremely low boiling point, is widely used as a coolant. The kväveatom's electronic configuration is 1s²2s²2p³, with five valence electrons, allowing it to form a variety of compounds with elements like hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon.