Nitrogen is a chemical element with the atomic number 7 and the chemical symbol N. It is the fourth most abundant element in the human body after oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. Many compounds, such as ammonia, nitric acid, organic nitrates, and cyanides, which are very important in various industries, contain nitrogen. Here are 10 fun and interesting facts about nitrogen.
1. Nitrogen Is The Most Abundant Element In The Air
Nitrogen gas makes up 78.1% of the volume of the Earth’s air or Earth’s atmosphere. Thus, nitrogen is the most abundant element in the air we breathe.
2. 3% Of Our Total Body Weight Is Nitrogen
About 3% of the mass of the human body is nitrogen. It means that this element is responsible for almost 3% of the total body weight of a human.
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3. “Northern Lights” Or Aurora Borealis
The “northern lights” or aurora borealis are caused by the collisions between fast-moving particles from space and the oxygen and nitrogen gas in the Earth’s atmosphere.
In the ionosphere, energetic particles from the solar wind strike the layer of the atmosphere and collide with atoms of oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere.
The light you see comes from the energy released during these collisions or from the photons released by oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere due to these collisions. Thus, it causes a colorful glowing halo around the poles, which is known as an aurora.
4. Nitrogen Is A Very Inactive Gas
At room temperature, nitrogen is a very inactive or non-reactive gas. Actually, nitrogen gas is so stable it does not readily combine with most other elements.
It is also considered and used as an inert gas but it is not completely inert. Nitrogen is one of the most chemically stable gases occurring naturally in our environment.
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5. One Of The Most Abundant Elements In The Universe
Nitrogen is the seventh most abundant element in our whole universe.
6. Nitrogen Is Important In The Chemical Industry
Nitrogen is an important element in the chemical industry and it is mainly used for producing nylon, nitric acid, explosives, and fertilizers.
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7. The Noise Of Cracking In Our Joints
The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles or the noise of cracking or popping in your joints is actually nitrogen gas bubbles bursting in your synovial fluid. Synovial fluid lubricates our joints and reduces friction like the motor oil in the engine of a car.
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8. Atmosphere Of Titan Is Composed Of Nitrogen
About 95 percent of the atmosphere of Titan, the largest moon of the planet Saturn, is composed of nitrogen.
9. All Living Organisms Need Nitrogen To Make Proteins And DNA
Nitrogen is critically important to all life forms on earth. It is an important part of our bodies. All living organisms or living things including plants and animals need nitrogen to make proteins and DNA for their growth and development.
10. Nitrogen Is Used In Food Storage
Nitrogen gas is used in various processes in food packaging industries. It is used in food storage to keep packaged foods fresh because nitrogen gas can preserve and maintain food quality. It can also increase the shelf life of fresh food.
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These are 10 cool fun and interesting facts about nitrogen.
FAQ: 10 Fun And Interesting Facts About Nitrogen
As many people are interested to know about nitrogen, there are lots of questions in their minds. Here I have shared answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about nitrogen.
Q1. What Percent Of Your Body Is Nitrogen?
Ans: Approximately 3% of the mass of our body is nitrogen, which means that nitrogen is responsible for almost 3% of our total body weight.
Q2. Why Nitrogen Is Chemically Inactive?
Ans: Nitrogen is a very inactive gas at room temperature. It is also one of the most chemically stable gases in our environment. Nitrogen gas is so stable that it does not readily combine with most other elements and for that reason, it is a chemically inactive gas.
Q3. Why Is Nitrogen Important To The Chemical Industry?
Ans: Nitrogen is an important element in the chemical industry, as it is mostly used for producing nylon, nitric acid, explosives, and fertilizers.
Q4. Is Nitrogen Used As A Food Preservative?
Ans: Nitrogen gas can preserve and maintain food quality, because of that, Nitrogen gas is used in food packaging industries and in food storages to keep packaged foods fresh.
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