Get to Know Fun Facts about Nitrogen

Fun facts about nitrogen can be found in many areas of human endeavors. In the scientific community, nitrogen levels have been high and stable since the Earth's atmosphere was formed nearly 4000 million years ago. In humans and animals, nitrogen is key to blood formation and protein synthesis. It also helps plants grow more efficiently than without it as it provides a bridge for the transfer of two atoms of nitrogen to one atom of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. They include;

1. Nitrogen is a gas at room temperature

Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the Earth and is present in an average of 78% of all rocks.

2. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the earth's atmosphere

Nitrogen gas is remarkably nonreactive which is why it has been able to build up in the atmosphere for such a long time without being removed by chemical reactions with other elements. Also, nitrogen gas has no adverse environmental effects like carbon dioxide does when it traps heat farther up into the atmosphere. In fact, without nitrogen there would be no ozone layer in our atmosphere to block out ultraviolet rays from the sun which can be harmful to humans, animals and plants.

3. Nitrogen is a non-metal

Nitrogen does not have any metallic properties which means a magnet will not attract it. This characteristic is what makes it an ideal element for biological structures and chemical reactions.

4. Nitrogen is toxic to most living things

When an organism absorbs nitrogen in excess, it causes cellular damage that may lead to death. This is another fun facts about nitrogen However, humans, dogs and certain types of plants are able to get nitrogen through their skin and utilize the element safely. Small amounts of nitrogen can also be obtained with a diet rich in protein foods such as meat and dairy products. Other plants which are known to contain high levels of nitrogen include potatoes, soybeans, avocados and some fruits like cantaloupe melon. Plants that contain high levels of nitrogen include legumes (for example beans), peas, soybeans and clover.

5. Nitrogen is the primary ingredient in fertilizers

The traditional form of nitrogen fertilizer was developed as early as in the 19th century. Its application has grown dramatically since then and it is estimated that most farmers worldwide who grow grains and other crops use nitrogen-rich fertilizers.

6. Nitrogen is used in the production of nitric acid and nitrocellulose for explosives like gunpowder

Nitrogen gas is also used in the manufacture of explosives. It is combined with carbon to produce other compounds such as nitroglycerin (which is a main ingredient of World War II-era dynamite), ethylene glycol (used to make anti-freeze) and gelatin. The production of these compounds that contain nitrogen requires large amounts of energy, which is why so much effort was put into developing safe explosives that do not produce toxic byproducts.

7. Nitrogen is used in the production of dyes

This one of fun facts about nitrogen. It is used to create pink and purple colors from rhodamine B, thiazine and brilliant green. Dyestuffs are usually derived from the reaction between ammonia and chlorine in which chlorine is added as a reagent to various organic compounds. When ammonia reacts with a hydroxyl group, a nitrogen compound is formed. This process can also be used to make many other compounds such as hydrochloric acid (for making cleaning products and mints), ammonium chloride (a main ingredient of street salt) and cyanide (used in rat poison). As described before, this process also generates nitrogen gas which can be stored or transported as it no longer contains any oxygen.

8. Nitrogen is used in the production of plastics

Nitrogen is used to make the polymer polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This compound is flexible and suitable for use in transporting liquids without leaking. It can also be used as an additive when making a plastic composite material that help reduce friction and wear particles on tools and machines during industrial processes.

9. Nitrogen is used in the creation of the most common medical drug, morphine

The chemical compound acetic acid liberated from ammonia by heating it with carbon tetrachloride acts as both a solvent and a drug to eliminate pain from humans when administered in high doses. Morphine is one of the most powerful pain management drugs that contain acetic acid.

10. Nitrogen is used in the production of rubber

Nitric acid acts as a catalyst to combine natural latex with sulfuric acid to make a synthetic rubber that was first used in the 20th century. Nitrogen gas can also be combined with other poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrochloric acid to create poison gas which has been used in warfare, for example during World War I. It can also be used for anesthesia for animals and humans as it induces loss of consciousness without being harmful to cells, unlike other anesthetics like alcohol.