Nitrogen Nitrogen is nonmetallic, odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas. Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the earth’s atmosphere. Rutherford discover nitrogen in 1772. On the periodic table of elements Nitrogen is diatomic and has the chemical symbol of “N”. The atomic number is 7, and its atomic weight is 14. There are 7 protons, neutrons, and electrons in a nitrogen atom. The gas can be condensed in liquid state that has a boiling point of -195.8 degrees celcius or …showed first 75 words of 336 total…

…showed last 75 words of 336 total…and the plants and animals of the earth. People influence the nitrogen cycle, but it is harmful to the atmosphere. The use of nitrogen fertilizers adds nitrogen to the soil, and then rain water carries unused fertilizer and other nitrogen compounds into streams and lakes, where the compounds cause water plants and algae to multiply. When the plants and algae die and decay, they use up oxygen, endangering animal life in the body of water.