Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless chemical element with an atomic mass of 14.00674 u. Constituting of approximately 78 percent of Earth’s atmosphere, nitrogen is found in abundance on this planet, most of which, however, is of no use. Since its discovery by a Scottish physician by the name Daniel Rutherford, in 1772, nitrogen has come a long way to become one of the most important element for humans, plants, and animals alike. The credit of this goes to the various nitrogen uses and properties. Before we move on to nitrogen usage, let’s take a look at the various aspects of this element, in brief.
Nitrogen Uses and Properties
Nitrogen, with 5 electrons in the outer shell, is trivalent in most of the compounds. The vapor density of nitrogen is 14.4, which is slightly lesser than the vapor density of air at 14. In simpler words, nitrogen is slightly lighter than air. It is highly soluble in water. A liter of water has the capacity to dissolve approximately 22 ml of nitrogen at an temperature of 0 degree Celsius. In its cooled and compressed form, nitrogen tends to liquefy into a colorless liquid boiling at -196 degree Celsius. If cooled further, it tends to freeze and take a white snow like appearance which melts at -210 degree Celsius.
Nitrogen Uses in Everyday Life
Nitrogen is present in all living organisms to some extent. Although we are not aware of it, we do use nitrogen in our day to day life, directly as well as directly. Nitrogen usage is not just restricted to biological processes in living organisms, it’s also used vastly in the industrial sector. The process by which nitrogen goes through several transformations in the atmosphere is referred to as the nitrogen cycle.
Nitrogen Uses in the Body
Nitrogen plays an important role in food digestion. Although, plenty of nitrogen is available in the atmosphere, it’s literally of no use for us, and hence we are left with no option but to derive nitrogen from our food sources. Nitrogen compounds are basically building blocks which help in growth of the body. In living organisms, nitrogen constitutes approximately 3 percent of the total body mass. When we eat food, nitrogen from that food is absorbed by the body in order to facilitate body growth. This element is especially important during pregnancy, when the fetus grows within the woman’s body.
Nitrogen Uses in Plants
Nitrogen plays an important role in various functions necessary for plant life. It is found in several parts of plants, ranging from roots, to the leaves and grains. Nitrogen constitutes around 4 percent of total body mass of plants. It’s an important constituent of chlorophyll which helps in converting sunlight into required energy. Like humans, nitrogen compounds act as building blocks in plants as well. The nitrogen found in proteins and enzymes in the roots of the plant, helps the plant to absorb water and various nutrients.
Nitrogen Uses in Industry
Owing to the various nitrogen uses and properties, nitrogen gas is regarded as one of the most important industrial gas in several industries. It is either produced by fractional distillation of liquid air, or mechanical treatment of gaseous air. Commercial nitrogen is provided in its compressed form, which is stored in cylinders. Nitrogen gas has plenty of uses in the industrial sector. It is used as an inexpensive alternative to argon gas in incandescent light bulbs. It is also used in manufacturing of stainless steel. In the electronic sector, it is used to make diodes and integrated circuits. Nitrogen usage in fuel systems of military aircrafts reduces the possibility of a fire threat. Owing to its inertness and lack of moisture, it is also used in automobile and aircraft tires.
Although it’s one of the most abundant element in the atmosphere, nitrogen in its crude form, is of no use for humans or plants. The various nitrogen uses credited to this element come only after it is treated, when it becomes one of the most useful elements for many biological as well as industrial processes.