Nitrogen is the first element in Group 15 of the periodic table. The elements that make up this group are sometimes known as the nitrogen family, after nitrogen itself. Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7, an atomic mass of 14.0067, and a chemical symbol of N.

Properties

Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas with a density of 1.25046 grams per liter, slightly less than that of air (density = 1.29 grams per liter). Nitrogen has a boiling point of -320.42°F (-195.79°C) and a freezing point of -346.02°F (-210.01°C). When it freezes, nitrogen becomes a white solid that looks somewhat like snow. Nitrogen is slightly soluble in water, to the extent of about two liters of nitrogen to 100 liters of water.

Nitrogen is a relatively inactive element, evidenced by the fact that free nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere. Nitrogen does combine with oxygen in...