nitrogént

Nitrogén is a chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7. In its elemental form, it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless diatomic gas that makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere. Nitrogén is essential for life, being a key component of amino acids and nucleic acids, which form proteins and DNA, respectively. It is also a crucial nutrient for plants, often supplied through fertilizers.

Industrially, nitrogén is primarily produced through the fractional distillation of liquid air. This process separates nitrogén from oxygen and other atmospheric gases. The vast majority of industrial nitrogén is used in the production of ammonia (NH3) via the Haber-Bosch process. Ammonia is a precursor for fertilizers, explosives, and various other chemicals. Liquid nitrogén, due to its extremely low temperature, is widely used as a cryogenic refrigerant.

Nitrogén exists in various allotropes and compounds. Its compounds, such as nitrates and nitrites, play significant roles in environmental processes like the nitrogén cycle. While nitrogén gas is relatively inert, its compounds can be highly reactive. The triple bond in the diatomic nitrogén molecule (N2) is very strong, making it difficult to break and thus contributing to its inertness under standard conditions.