Element identity
Atomic number, symbol, relative atomic mass display and periodic position are established reference data.
Atomic / electronic model
Ground-state electron configuration and atomic reference values are compiled/evaluated data; orbital graphics are teaching probability models, not photographs.
Material / molecular structure
The displayed ordinary structure is based on established material or molecular science; simplified viewers are labelled as teaching schematics where exact crystallographic coordinates are not rendered.
Temperature / phase path
Transition values are reference/evaluated values for the stated teaching path; pressure, purity and allotropy can matter.
Geography
Real pins use reviewed place/dataset context. Conceptual layers are used when country pins would imply false occurrence, unsafe inventory or an incomplete global distribution.
The lens describes evidence status, not confidence theatre. “Unknown” is kept unknown, and teaching schematics are not presented as direct measurements.
Nitrogen (N)
Nitrogen is a Group 15 nonmetal whose half-filled 2p subshell helps explain the stability of the N₂ molecule, the strength of the N≡N triple bond and nitrogen’s central role in atmosphere, biology and industry.
Nitrogen atomic number, mass, electron configuration and key properties
Nitrogen: quick answers
How many protons, neutrons and electrons does nitrogen have?
Nitrogen’s atomic number is 7, so every nitrogen atom has 7 protons, and a neutral atom also has 7 electrons. Its most common natural isotope, nitrogen-14, has 7 neutrons (other isotopes have different neutron counts).
What is the symbol for nitrogen?
The chemical symbol for nitrogen is N.
Is nitrogen a solid, liquid or gas at room temperature?
Nitrogen is a gas at room temperature (about 25 °C).
What family (group) is nitrogen in?
Nitrogen is a nonmetal, in group 15, period 2 of the periodic table.
How many valence electrons does nitrogen have?
Nitrogen has 5 valence electrons, the electrons in its outer shell, which matches its position in group 15.
What is the electron configuration of nitrogen?
The ground-state electron configuration of nitrogen is [He] 2s² 2p³.
From atomic number to chemistry
Read these as a chain of causes, not as isolated facts. Each step links to the concept hub if you want the underlying idea explained.
7 protons define nitrogen; a neutral atom contains 7 electrons.
This reviewed ground-state reference connects atomic structure to the element’s chemistry.
Periodic position supplies family context, but element-specific evidence and exceptions still matter.
Isotope notation separates proton identity from neutron count and nuclear behavior.
Nitrogen in its period and family
Nitrogen sits between carbon and oxygen in Period 2 and heads Group 15. Its half-filled 2p³ arrangement is a useful atomic pattern, but the chemistry of N₂ requires molecular-orbital and bonding ideas beyond a simple shell count.
Nitrogen Visual Lab
Decode the nitrogen tile, rotate a ¹⁴N teaching nucleus, inspect 2s/2p probability shapes, build an N₂ triple-bond model and connect nitrogen to atmosphere, fixation, fertilizers and cryogenics.
Every mark points to one exact feature
The numbered markers explain the same information system used throughout Element Lookup. Unknown or predicted fields remain visibly labelled rather than being replaced with guesses.
Nitrogen in one minute
Atomic number 7 means seven protons.
The neutral atom is [He] 2s² 2p³ with three unpaired 2p electrons in the isolated-atom ground state.
Elemental nitrogen is commonly N₂, a diatomic molecule with a strong triple bond.
Dry air is about 78.084% nitrogen by volume according to NOAA.
Nitrogen cycles among atmosphere, organisms, soils, oceans and industrial processes.
Shell rings organize electron counts. They are not electron trajectories or orbital shapes.
2 · 5 electrons
Selected 2s and 2p atomic-orbital views. A 2s orbital is spherical with one radial node; each 2p orbital has two lobes separated by a nodal plane. In N₂, atomic orbitals combine into molecular orbitals, so these isolated-atom views are only the starting point.
Diatomic N₂; cryogenic solid nitrogen has molecular crystal phases that depend on temperature and pressure. The viewer is evidence-aware: measured structures are identified as such; unknown bulk structures stay unknown.
Teaching visualization; not a literal finite sample or thermal trajectory.What this model does—and does not—show
Selected 2s and 2p atomic-orbital views. A 2s orbital is spherical with one radial node; each 2p orbital has two lobes separated by a nodal plane. In N₂, atomic orbitals combine into molecular orbitals, so these isolated-atom views are only the starting point.
Where do I meet nitrogen?
Clickable learning cards connect the element to materials, environment, technology, biology or research - depending on what the evidence actually supports.
Atmosphere
N₂ makes up about 78.084% of dry air by volume.
Why is N2 abundant but chemically demanding to activate?
The same triple bond that makes atmospheric nitrogen stable also makes biological and industrial fixation a major chemistry story.
Isolated atom
A neutral nitrogen atom has five valence electrons, but ordinary atmospheric nitrogen is not a gas of isolated N atoms.
Carbon, nitrogen and oxygen: valence occupancy changes the story
Across Period 2, nuclear charge increases while electrons fill the 2p subshell. Nitrogen’s half-filled 2p³ arrangement is a useful reference point.
| Valence | 2s² 2p² |
|---|---|
| Pauling χ | 2.55 |
| Valence | 2s² 2p³ |
|---|---|
| Pauling χ | 3.04 |
| Valence | 2s² 2p⁴ |
|---|---|
| Pauling χ | 3.44 |
Nitrogen properties: atomic, physical, thermal and chemical
Categories follow the science of this element rather than a fixed decorative template. Each row carries condition/provenance context and an evidence label; unknown values stay unknown.
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atomic number | 7 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Relative atomic mass | 14.007 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ground-state electron configuration | [He] 2s² 2p³ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Group / period / block | Group 15 · Period 2 · p-block | Periodic-table placement | Evaluated |
| Electronegativity | 3.04 | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Reference isotope | ¹⁴N | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| State context | Gas as N₂ | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Density | ≈1.145 g/L at 20 °C | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Predicted |
| Material / molecular structure | N₂ molecule at ordinary conditions | Diatomic N₂; cryogenic solid nitrogen has molecular crystal phases that depend on temperature and pressure | Measured |
| Classification | Nonmetal · pnictogen | Periodic-table / chemistry classification | Evaluated |
| Structure-model scope | Diatomic N₂; cryogenic solid nitrogen has molecular crystal phases that depend on temperature and pressure | Teaching visualization; exact crystallographic coordinates are not implied unless stated. | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting / transition reference | ≈63.15 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Predicted |
| Boiling / gas reference | ≈77.35 K | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Predicted |
| Phase-path context | On the ordinary-pressure teaching path, molecular nitrogen is solid below about 63.15 K, liquid between roughly 63.15 K and 77.35 K, and gas above its normal boiling point. | Shared phase registry drives the slider, regions and markers. | Evaluated |
| Condition warning | Temperature and pressure define phase behavior; purity/allotropy may matter. | Teaching condition statement | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common oxidation states | −3 to +5 in compounds | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Ion / common ion context | N³⁻ (formal teaching ion) | Source-reviewed; see Sources below | Evaluated |
| Periodic chemistry context | Nitrogen sits between carbon and oxygen in Period 2 and heads Group 15. Its half-filled 2p³ arrangement is a useful atomic pattern, but the chemistry of N₂ requires molecular-orbital and bonding ideas beyond a simple shell count. | Element-specific interpretation | Reviewed |
| Chemistry caution | Elemental form, ions and compounds are distinct chemical objects. | Interpretive teaching rule | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¹⁴N | Stable | dominant natural isotope | Evaluated |
| ¹⁵N | Stable | used as a tracer in chemistry, biology and Earth science | Evaluated |
| Teaching nucleus | ¹⁴N · 7 protons + 7 neutrons | Reference isotope used in the nucleus model | Reviewed |
| Property | Value | Context / provenance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page evidence note | Atmospheric abundance and N₂ phase data are measured/evaluated; cycle diagrams are conceptual teaching layers rather than inventories of individual nitrogen atoms. | Evidence summary for this guide | Reviewed |
| Structure evidence | Diatomic N₂; cryogenic solid nitrogen has molecular crystal phases that depend on temperature and pressure | Measured structure, labelled schematic, prediction or explicit unknown as applicable. | Reviewed |
| Map evidence rule | Real pins are reviewed examples; conceptual layers are used when pins would mislead. | Geography Explorer 2.0 | Reviewed |
| Source set | 4 primary/reference links listed below | Open the Sources section for the actual references. | Reviewed |
Is Nitrogen a solid, liquid or gas? State at temperature
On the ordinary-pressure teaching path, molecular nitrogen is solid below about 63.15 K, liquid between roughly 63.15 K and 77.35 K, and gas above its normal boiling point.
Where on Earth is Nitrogen found or produced?
Who discovered Nitrogen, and when?
Daniel Rutherford described a component of air that would not support combustion or life.
Lavoisier helped clarify that air is a mixture and used the name azote for the non-supporting component.
Haber and Bosch developed industrial ammonia synthesis, transforming the human nitrogen cycle.
Air separation, fertilizers and cryogenic nitrogen became major industrial applications.
How nitrogen becomes industrially useful
Air is filtered and compressed in large-scale air-separation systems.
Cryogenic distillation can separate nitrogen from oxygen and argon.
Separated nitrogen is used directly as an inerting/cooling gas or as feedstock for ammonia synthesis.
Biological fixation provides a separate natural route from N₂ to reactive nitrogen.
What is nitrogen used for?
Ammonia + fertilizers
A major industrial use of fixed nitrogen is ammonia production for fertilizers.
Inert atmospheres
Nitrogen gas can reduce unwanted oxidation or combustion in controlled industrial environments.
Cryogenics
Liquid nitrogen provides convenient low-temperature cooling.
Food + packaging
Nitrogen atmospheres can displace oxygen in selected packaging and processing applications.
Nitrogen isotopes and natural abundance
¹⁴N
Stabledominant natural isotope
¹⁵N
Stableused as a tracer in chemistry, biology and Earth science
Five-question Nitrogen check
About what fraction of dry air is nitrogen by volume?
What is the common elemental form of nitrogen near room conditions?
Why is atmospheric N2 difficult for most organisms to use directly?
At ordinary pressure, nitrogen boils at about which temperature?
Which two stable isotopes dominate natural nitrogen?
Nitrogen questions students commonly ask
Each answer starts with the direct fact, then explains the chemistry, evidence or material context so the result is understandable rather than merely memorized.
Why is nitrogen so abundant in air but difficult for organisms to use?
Short answer: N₂ has a very strong triple bond, so converting it into reactive compounds requires specialized biological or industrial chemistry.
The atmosphere is rich in N₂, yet most organisms cannot use N₂ directly. Nitrogen fixation converts a very stable molecule into chemically accessible nitrogen compounds. Nitrogen fixation Biological and industrial processes convert N₂ into more reactive nitrogen compounds.
Key point: The mechanism matters: connect the observed behavior to electron structure, bonding, phase or the specific material form rather than memorizing the result alone.
How many valence electrons does nitrogen have?
Short answer: Five: 2s² 2p³.
The neutral-atom ground-state reference used on this page is [He] 2s² 2p³. This is an isolated-atom reference: bonding and ion formation can change which outer electrons are present or chemically active. The listed common oxidation-state context is −3 to +5 in compounds, which helps connect the atomic configuration to ordinary chemistry without treating electron counting as a single universal rule.
Key point: Electron configuration is a ground-state atomic reference, not a literal picture of every compound.
Is liquid nitrogen the same substance as nitrogen gas?
Short answer: Yes. It is predominantly N₂ in a different physical state.
On the ordinary-pressure teaching path, molecular nitrogen is solid below about 63.15 K, liquid between roughly 63.15 K and 77.35 K, and gas above its normal boiling point. Liquid nitrogen Cryogenic liquid nitrogen is used for cooling, preservation and laboratory work.
Key point: Use the direct answer together with the material, isotope and evidence context shown elsewhere on the page.
Is nitrogen itself a greenhouse gas?
Short answer: Ordinary N₂ is not an important infrared-absorbing greenhouse gas; nitrogen-containing gases such as N₂O are different molecules with different behavior.
Elemental nitrogen is commonly N₂, a diatomic molecule with a strong triple bond. On the ordinary-pressure teaching path, molecular nitrogen is solid below about 63.15 K, liquid between roughly 63.15 K and 77.35 K, and gas above its normal boiling point.
Key point: Use the direct answer together with the material, isotope and evidence context shown elsewhere on the page.
Scientific sources for Nitrogen
- Royal Society of Chemistry — Nitrogen
- NOAA — The Atmosphere
- NIST Chemistry WebBook — Nitrogen phase-change data
- NIST — electronic configurations of the elements
Questions to ask next about Nitrogen
A good element lesson should lead to the next useful question, not end after a list of facts.
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