Is Nitrogen a Compound? Why?

No, nitrogen is not a compound, but it is an element. ¹ An element is a substance made up of only one type of atom. Nitrogen is a chemical element with the symbol N and atomic number 7, which means it is made up of only nitrogen atoms. ²

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Why is nitrogen not considered a compound?

Nitrogen is not considered a compound because it is an element, which means it consists of only one type of atom. 

A compound, on the other hand, is a substance made up of two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together. ³

Nitrogen can combine with other elements to form compounds, such as ammonia (NH3), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), among others. ⁴

However, in its pure form, nitrogen is not a compound because it consists of only nitrogen atoms.

Why is nitrogen considered as an element?

Nitrogen is considered as an element because it is a pure substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. 

It is composed of only one type of atom, which is the nitrogen atom, and it has a unique set of physical and chemical properties that distinguish it from other elements.

Nitrogen is a non-metallic element that is found in nature in various forms, such as molecular nitrogen (N2), which makes up about 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere, and other nitrogen-containing compounds. ^{5 6 7}

Nitrogen also has an atomic number of 7, which means it has 7 protons in its nucleus and 7 electrons surrounding the nucleus, and it belongs to the group of elements known as the “pnictogens” in the periodic table. ⁸

Why is nitrogen not considered a mixture?

Nitrogen is not considered a mixture because a mixture is a substance that is made up of two or more different types of particles, such as atoms, molecules, or ions, that are not chemically bonded together. ⁹ In contrast, nitrogen is a pure substance that consists of only one type of particle, which is the nitrogen atom. 

Even though nitrogen can exist in different forms, such as molecular nitrogen (N2) and other nitrogen-containing compounds, these forms are not considered mixtures because the particles that make up these forms are still all nitrogen atoms or nitrogen-containing molecules that are chemically bonded together. 

In other words, nitrogen and its various forms are homogeneous substances that have uniform properties throughout and cannot be separated by physical means, such as filtration or distillation, without breaking their chemical bonds.

Some common compounds that contain nitrogen

There are many common compounds that contain nitrogen, some of which include:

• Ammonia (NH₃): A colorless gas with a pungent odor that is commonly used as a cleaning agent and in the production of fertilizers. ¹⁰
• Nitrous oxide (N₂O): A colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor that is commonly used as a sedative and analgesic in medical and dental procedures.
• Nitric oxide (NO): A colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor that is used as a signaling molecule in the human body and as a reagent in the production of other nitrogen-containing compounds.
• Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂): A reddish-brown gas with a pungent odor that is a major air pollutant and can cause respiratory problems.
• Nitric acid (HNO₃): A strong acid that is used in the production of fertilizers, explosives, and dyes.
• Urea (CO(NH₂)₂): A crystalline compound that is used as a fertilizer and in the production of plastics and resins.
• Cyanide [(CN)^–]: A highly toxic compound that contains both nitrogen and carbon and is used in mining and electroplating. ¹¹
• Amino acids: Organic compounds that contain both nitrogen and carbon and are the building blocks of proteins in the human body. ^{12 13}
• Nitrate [(NO₃)^–]: A salt or ester of nitric acid that is found in fertilizers and is an important source of nitrogen for plants.

These are just a few examples of the many common compounds that contain nitrogen.

Further reading

Is Oxygen a Compound?
Is Oxygen a Mixture?
Is Water a Mixture?
Why is Oxygen a Pure Substance?
Why is Water a Pure Substance? 

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