Periodic Table Nitrogen

Nitrogen belongs to the p-block of the periodic table. It comes under group 15 and the second period.

Introduction to periodic table nitrogen

It is represented as N. Its atomic number is 7 and its mass number is 14. It comes under the main group of elements otherwise known as representative elements or the normal elements of the periodic table. Nitrogen is the first member of the nitrogen family. Its electronic configuration is 2, 5. It is one of the most electro negative elements of the periodic table. It was discovered by Rutherford in 1772. It exists as a diatomic gas (N2) in the elemental state, therefore, it is also called dinitrogen. 

Anomalous properties of nitrogen:

1)       it is highly electro negative

2)       it exists in both liquid and gaseous forms

3)       it forms electrovalent as well as covalent compounds with non metals

4)       It is not metallic in nature

5)       It is a poor conductor of heat and electricity

6)       Exceptionally small atomic size

7)      Absence of d-orbitals in its valence shell

Some important properties of Nitrogen

1)      N2 molecules are held together by weak van der Waals forces of attraction which can be easily broken by the collisions of the molecules at room temperature. Therefore, N2 is a gas at room temperature.

2)      Catenation: Nitrogen can form chains containing upto 3 N atoms. Example, hydrazoic acid (N3H) or azide ion, N3^- ion.

3)      nitrogen forms a triple bond between its two atoms.

4)      Nitrogen cannot expand its covalency beyond 4. So, it does not form pentahalides

5)      The hydride of nitrogen (NH3) is stable while the hydrides of other elements are not stable. 

6)      Nitrogen forms five oxides - N2O, NO, N2O3, NO2 or N2O4 and N2O5 which are monomeric

7)    It has two stable isotopses N14 and N15. 

8)    it is neutral towards litmus

9)     it is neither combustible nor a supporter of combustion.

10)   when a mixture of dinitrogen and dihydrogen is heated to about 700K under a pressure of 200 atms., in the presence of iron catalyst and molybdenum as promoter, ammonia is formed.  

         N2 + 3H2 (g) ----------- 2NH3 (g)                reversible reaction

11)   N2 + O2 --------------2 NO (nitric oxide)       reversible reaction

Periodic Table Nitrogen: Uses

1)    it is used in the manufacture of nitric acid, ammonia, calcium cyanamide, etc.

2)    it acts as an inert diluent in reactive chemicals

3)    it is used in filling electric bulbs to reduce the rate of volatilisation of the tungsten filament

4)     nitrogen gas -filled thermometers are used for measuring high temperatures

5)     liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant to preserve biological materials, food items and in cryosurgery